British tennis star Emma Raducanu has credited the energetic support of her fans after staging a stunning comeback to secure her place in the quarter-finals of the Transylvania Open in Cluj, Romania.
A Remarkable Turnaround on Court
The number one seed found herself in a perilous position during her match against Slovenia's Kaja Juvan, trailing 5-0 in the opening set. Raducanu appeared to be struggling with her opponent's aggressive play and showed signs of physical discomfort in her leg, with the world number 97 taking full advantage of the situation.
Finding Form Under Pressure
Displaying remarkable resilience, Raducanu fought back to level the set before holding her serve and breaking Juvan to edge the first set 7-5. The British player then dominated the second set, winning it 6-1 to complete a straight-sets victory that saw her win an impressive 10 consecutive games and 13 of the final 14 points played.
This tournament marks Raducanu's first competitive appearance since parting ways with coach Francis Roig following her early exit from the Australian Open. The victory represents a significant confidence boost for the young player as she navigates this transitional period in her career.
Post-Match Reflections and Gratitude
Addressing the supportive crowd in Cluj after her victory, Raducanu expressed her appreciation for their role in her comeback. "Thank you for the support, it really got me through some tricky moments in that first set," she told the enthusiastic spectators.
Raducanu acknowledged the quality of her opponent's performance, stating: "I have to say Kaja was playing some great tennis, was putting me on the back foot straightaway. I thought I was being aggressive, going for my shots, but I was missing and not executing."
A New Experience to Build Upon
The British number one reflected on the significance of her comeback, noting: "At least I can say I was trying to play on my terms. That was the goal for me. I don't think I've ever come back from 5-0 down before so that's a first to add to the experience."
Raducanu also thanked fans for their patience during the extended match, adding: "Thank you for staying and waiting so long, I appreciate it, it means a lot. Now I've got to try and recover straightaway. It's not much time but hopefully the schedule is kind to me and I can find some energy and hopefully I'll see you guys out there and you'll give me some energy."
Looking Ahead to the Quarter-Finals
With this hard-fought victory secured, Raducanu now advances to face qualifier Maja Chwalinska in the last eight of the tournament. The British player will be hoping to build upon this momentum as she continues her campaign in Romania, drawing strength from both her own resilience and the vocal support of the Transylvanian crowd.
The match demonstrated Raducanu's ability to overcome significant adversity on court, a quality that will serve her well as she progresses through the tournament and continues to develop her game under new coaching arrangements.
