Emma Raducanu Reaches First Final Since US Open Triumph

British tennis star looks to recapture past glory at Cluj-Napoca event in Romania

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has struggled to find consistency and recapture her best form since her historic Grand Slam victory. However, she has reached the final of the Cluj-Napoca event in Romania, her first final appearance since that US Open triumph nearly five years ago.

Why it matters

Raducanu's rise to stardom after her surprise US Open win was meteoric, but she has since faced challenges with injuries, coaching changes, and inconsistent results. This final appearance in Romania represents a potential turning point as she looks to regain her elite status in the sport.

The details

At the Cluj-Napoca event, Raducanu won three straight-set matches, including two bagel sets, to reach the final. There she will face Oleksandra Oliynykova, known for her defensive style that has given Raducanu trouble in the past. If Raducanu can win the final, it would be a much-needed boost as she tries to return to the top levels of women's tennis.

  • Raducanu won the 2021 US Open in September of that year.
  • She has struggled with consistency and injuries since her Grand Slam triumph.
  • Raducanu reached the semifinals of the Cluj-Napoca event on February 7, 2026.

The players

Emma Raducanu

A 23-year-old British tennis player who won the 2021 US Open as a qualifier, becoming the first player to do so in the Open Era.

Oleksandra Oliynykova

A Ukrainian tennis player known for her defensive style of play, which has given Raducanu trouble in the past.

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What they’re saying

“Countless fans still harbor quiet hope that Emma Raducanu will one day recapture even a shadow of her best form. It hasn't materialized yet, but at 23, time remains on her side, provided the motivation exists.”

— Jack Beatnik, Author (yardbarker.com)

What’s next

If Raducanu can win the final in Cluj-Napoca, it would be a significant step in her efforts to regain her elite status in women's tennis.

The takeaway

Emma Raducanu's journey since her historic 2021 US Open triumph has been filled with challenges, but this final appearance in Romania represents a chance for the 23-year-old to reignite her career and recapture the form that made her a Grand Slam champion.