Emma Răducanu, in the final at the Transylvania Open, after a marathon match with Oleksandra Oliynykova! Great British comeback

After the fascinating doubles semifinal between Veronika Erjavec/Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah and Kamilla Rakhimova/Sara Sorribes Tormo, the duel between Emma Răducanu and Oleksandra Oliynykova followed on the center court, the two fighting for a place in the Transylvania Open final.

Emma Răducanu – Oleksandra Oliynykova, a duel of contrasts in the Transylvania Open semifinal

Rarely have two players so different met in a WTA tournament semifinal. Grand Slam winner and WTA top 30 ranked Emma came into the Transylvania Open as the number 1 favorite for the title.

Instead, Oleksandra had, at the beginning of this week, achieved her first victory in the WTA circuit. Also, the Ukrainian is a non-conformist player, with a very unusual style of play, which adapts according to the game of her opponents.

Before the match, Răducanu said about Oliynykova that she is a fighter, and the first set was indeed a battle set, lasting over 70 minutes. On her own serve, the 25-year-old controlled most of the points.

Instead, Răducanu awarded his long shifts. She served well, accurately, entered the court and approached the net, but Oliynykova, as usual, returned excellently. Therefore, the two went head to head until 4-4.

The first set was awarded by Emma Răducanu, the favorite of the public in BTarena

Emma was the first to break and was serving to win the game, but after saving 3 break points, she squandered her first set point. Oleksandra punished her opponent and that was another moment when Emma realized that it would take a lot of patience and nerves to win.

In the 11th game, the British saved 6 balls of 6-5, being more decisive and aggressive. She broke her second with a forehand winner that cleared the line before calling a medical time-out with a right arm problem.

After the game resumed, Răducanu served great, won the game at 0 and closed the set: 7-5. Oliynykova went to the locker room and the break was prolonged, but the atmosphere in the hall remained vibrant, with fans in the BTarena supporting the main favorite to the title.

They shouted “E-mma, E-mma” and “Let's go, Emma, ​​let's go,” while several Ukrainian fans responded with “Let's go, Dasha, let's go“.

Emma Răducanu, medical time-out in the duel with Oleksandra Oliynykova/Photo: Imago Images

Oleksandra Oliynykova, excellent second set, and the match needed a decider

The second set started with 3 breaks, two successes by Răducanu and one made by Oliynykova. The Ukrainian continued to vary her shots and often tried high balls, “candles”, to the amazement of fans who had not seen her play before in this tournament.

Emma won her serve and moved to 3-1, but Oleksandra didn't give up the fight, got close to 3-2 just as 100 minutes had passed in the match, and then broke and leveled at 3.

One of the most spectacular games of the game followed. The Brit was 30-0 on her opponent's serve, but she came back with some incredible shots, including a “short” and a high ball, and took the lead: 4-3.

Oliynykova's dominance continued and, with 5 straight games won, she won the set, 6-3, and sent the semi-final into the decider. It was Emma's turn to go to the locker room and after the break she returned with a change of gear.

Oleksandra Oliynykova, excellent performance in Transylvania Open semi-final/Photo: Imago Images

Emma Răducanu, amazing comeback in the deciding set: “What an incredible match”

Răducanu started the third set promisingly, interrupted her opponent's positive streak and led 1-0. Oliynykova answered with two consecutive games, and the main favorite for the title had reached a complicated situation.

The 2021 US Open champion overcame the difficult moment, started to be more aggressive, attacked more and more and took control of the game. From 1-2, the score became 5-2 for Răducanu, who also had 3 match balls.

Oliynykova took the score to 5-3 and had two 5-4 balls, but the Briton came back and, after two hours and 48 minutes, prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 6-3. In the final, Răducanu will meet either Sorana Cîrstea or Daria Snigur.

“What an incredible match. Congratulations to the opponent, she played sensationally. It's very hard to beat her, it's so difficult to play with her. I'm happy with how I managed to come back in the deciding set. I don't know if I would have succeeded without the support of the fans”, declared Răducanu, exhausted, at the interview on the field.

The 23-year-old player also said a few words about the support of the public: “What an incredible feeling. I feel at home and thank you very much!”. Răducanu also explained why he shouts “come on” on the pitch:

“Yes, when I say 'come on' it's a very hard-earned point. It comes naturally, I'm glad I heard 'come on' from all sides.”

At the end, according to tradition, Răducanu also spoke a little in Romanian. “Today I'm very tired to speak a lot in Romanian, but thank you very much and I can't wait to play in the final tomorrow“, she declared with a laugh.