Emma Raducanu is through to her first final since winning the 2021 US Open after beating Oleksandra Oliynykova in three sets in the semi-finals of the Transylvania Open
The British No 1, playing in the fifth tour-level semi-final of her career, won the first set 7-5 before her Ukrainian opponent took the second set 6-3.
But Raducanu recovered from losing her serve early in the deciding third to win four of the next five games to take the set 6-3 and secure a place in Saturday’s showpiece at the WTA 250 event in Cluj, Romania, where she is the No 1 seed.
She will play either Daria Snigur, another Ukrainian player, or Romania’s own Sorana Cirstea, the third seed, in Saturday’s final, live on Sky Sports Tennis.
“What an incredible match,” said Raducanu, 23.
“All props to my opponent today, Ollie. She played incredible.
“Makes it so tricky to put any ball past her. You think it’s past her and then the ball is on your baseline or your sideline.
“So it’s so difficult. But so proud of how I competed, how I came back in the third set, how I managed the match.”
More to follow…
Boulter reaches fifth career final with dominant win
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Highlights of the Ostrava Open semi-final between Katie Volynets and Katie Boulter.
British No 2 Katie Boulter reached the fifth final of her career in the Ostrava Open as she produced another quality performance, beating the American Katie Volynets 6-1 6-3 in her third consecutive straight sets victory.
The Briton raced out to a one-set lead after just over half an hour, but even a much-improved second set showing from Volynets could not stop the in-form Brit from progressing with ease.
“I’m never satisfied but obviously really pleased with today,” said Boulter after the game. “She really stepped up in the second set – I tried to match it as much as I could, keep trusting myself no matter what and it paid off in the end.
“The breaks could have easily shifted the momentum and but I didn’t allow that to happen.”
Boulter was in high spirits, even wishing her coach Michael Joyce a happy birthday and promising him a coveted gift.
“It’s been a great week for me – It’s Micky [Joyce’s] birthday tomorrow and I’m going to try and get him a present – a trophy!
“We’re going to leave it all on the line.”
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
