Emma Raducanu defeated Oleksandra Oliynykova in a brutal three-set semi-final at the Transylvania Open to reach her first final since winning the 2021 US Open title.

The British number one, playing in her fifth career tour-level semi-final, won the first set 7-5 before her Ukrainian opponent took the second 6-3.

But Raducanu recovered after losing serve early in the decider and won four of the next five games to take the set 6-3 and earn a spot in Saturday’s WTA 250 event in Cluj, Romania, where she is the No. 1 seed.

Leading 5-2 in the third set, Raducanu tried to end the match on Olynikova’s first service attempt, but she wasted three match points before her opponent took a 15-40 lead on the Englishman’s serve.

But Raducanu mustered up the courage to eventually hold his serve, win the match and win the match, hitting two beautiful lobs to seal the victory.

She will face Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, seeded No. 3. Saturday’s final, live broadcast starting at 2.30pm sky sports tennis.

“It was a brutal match,” Raducanu said of the nearly three-hour match against Olynikova.

“Solskjaer, I mean, what a competitive person she is. She makes a lot of shots, she makes a lot of shots tricky and just when you think you’re ahead at that point, she turns it around with some really awkward shots.”

“But to her credit, she came in when I was leading in the second set and I’m most proud of the way I fought and competed myself and came back in the third set.”

“The ball here got really fluffy and kind of shredded by the court,” said Raducanu, who took a physiotherapy break in the first set to focus on her right shoulder. “So, as the ball gets older, it gets heavier, but when the ball is new, it becomes very active.”

“I’m not used to playing four matches in a row and back-to-back. So for me, it’s an unbelievable thing and I guess it just comes with the territory. But I’m not in this position that often. So it’s just a little bit of wear and tear that comes with back-to-back in tennis.”

‘A very exciting feeling’ – Raducanu on long-awaited final return

Just a week after splitting from her new coach, Frances Roig, who became a hot favorite after a second-round exit at the Australian Open, Raducanu won four matches in five days in Cluj and dropped just one set.

Raducanu, who reached her first final since winning the U.S. Open as an 18-year-old qualifier, admitted: “It’s a really exciting feeling.

“I haven’t been to a final in five years so it’s an amazing achievement.

“I’m really grateful for everything I’ve done this week, to Alexis (Kante) for being with me and for the great job I’ve done over the past six months and over the past year.

“It all came together. So, yeah, I’m really proud.

“My only focus now is trying to recover from the marathon.

“I think a lot of it is about recovering and staying in peak physical condition.”

Before local favorite Cirstea eased into the semi-finals 6-0, 6-3, Raducanu added: “Sarana is Romanian, which is an incredible thing for this tournament (that she can reach the final).”

Bolt reaches fifth career final with overwhelming victory

British No. 2 player Katie Boult reached her fifth final at the Ostrava Open. She once again performed well and defeated American Katie Wolinec 6-1 6-3 to achieve her third consecutive victory.

Bolt will face world No. 124 Tamara Korpatsch in Saturday’s final at 3 p.m.

Raducanu will also play in the final in Romania on Saturday, meaning two British women will compete in different WTA finals on the same day for the first time.

Bolt took a set lead after just over half an hour, but even Wolinec’s much-improved performance in the second set could not stop the in-form Briton from easing through.

“I’m never satisfied but obviously very happy with today,” Bolt said after the game. “She really improved in the second set – I tried my best to match it and believe in myself no matter what, and it paid off in the end.

“A break could easily change the momentum, but I won’t allow that to happen.”

Bolt was in high spirits and even wished her coach Michael Joyce a happy birthday and promised him a coveted gift.

“It’s been a great week for me – it’s Mickey (Joyce)’s birthday tomorrow and I’ll try to buy him a present – ​​a trophy!

“We’re going to put everything aside.”

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