Emma Răducanu’s hopes of a first title since her US Open triumph in 2021 ended in disappointment as she was trounced by Romanian Sorana Cîrstea in the Transylvania Open final, according to the BBC.
The British number one, who was the top seed, was second best throughout the match as 35-year-old Sorana Cîrstea surged to a 6-0 6-2 victory in front of her home crowd.
Emma Răducanu, 23, was on court for nearly three hours in her semi-final win over Oleksandra Oliynykova on Friday, but against third seed Sorana Cîrstea she lasted just an hour and three minutes.
She managed to level the second set at 2-2 after having her blood pressure taken. However, the mini revival was not enough to stop Cirstea claiming the fourth WTA Tour title of her 20-year career in emphatic fashion.
“I’ve already been battling a bit of a chest infection, but that [semi-final] match took it out of me extra,” Emma Răducanu told BBC Sport after the defeat. “So today, I was pretty gassed from the start.
“But I would much rather have this situation than have lost that match and not played today and be a part of the final.
“So for me, zero complaints.”
On the purple court in Cluj-Napoca, Emma Răducanu looked tired and lacking in energy after her valiant effort to battle past Oleksandra Oliynykova in three sets.
Sorana Cîrstea was sharper from the off, breaking Emma Răducanu early and breezing through the rest of the first set to take it with a bagel.
The Romanian was 2-0 up in the second set when Emma Răducanu finally put her first game on the board. She sat down slowly and called for medical attention, receiving words of encouragement from her trainer.
It looked like Emma Răducanu’s final may come to a premature end, but she carried on with the match and took the next game to draw level.
However, Sorana Cîrstea, who is in the final year of her career, regained control quickly and a double fault by Emma Răducanu at championship point ended any hopes of the Briton winning a second senior trophy.
“Today I didn’t feel so good on the court, so that was a little bit disappointing for my first final after so long,” said Emma Răducanu.
Emma Răducanu had plenty of support in Romania, as her father, Ion, is from Bucharest, and she commented after the defeat that the crowd had made her “feel at home this week”.
But securing her first silverware since that magical night in New York almost five years ago, when at the age of 18 she became the first qualifier in the Open era to win a Grand Slam singles title, is proving difficult.
She has been plagued with injuries and has struggled to find consistency on the WTA Tour. In January, she split with her latest coach, Francis Roig, after a second-round exit from the Australian Open.
In the high-octane world of professional tennis, where teenage prodigies often dominate the headlines, Sorana Cîrstea stands as a testament to longevity, tactical evolution, and unyielding mental strength. As of February 2026, the Romanian veteran remains a formidable force on the WTA Tour, proving that experience is a weapon as lethal as any 120 mph serve.
The Phoenix of Romanian Tennis
Sorana Cîrstea’s career has never been a straight line. From her breakout quarter-final run at Roland Garros as a teenager in 2009 to her “second spring” in the 2020s, Sorana Cîrstea has navigated injuries and fluctuating rankings with a grace that has earned her the respect of peers and fans alike.
In 2026, she continues to be a staple of the Top 30, acting as a bridge between the golden generation of Romanian tennis and the rising stars. Her ability to maintain peak physical condition well into her 30s is a result of a meticulously revamped training regimen and a professional maturity that allows her to peak at the biggest tournaments.
Tactical Profile: Aggression with Intent
Historically known as a high-risk, high-reward “shot-maker,” the 2026 version of Sorana Cîrstea is more calculated. While her baseline aggression remains her trademark, she has added layers to her game that make her dangerous on all surfaces.
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The Backhand Down-the-Line: Still widely considered one of the cleanest strikes in the women’s game. Sorana Cîrstea uses this shot to take time away from opponents and dictate rallies.
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Improved Serve Variety: Working with top-tier coaching staff, she has increased her kick-serve efficiency, preventing opponents from attacking her second serve.
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Aggressive Return Position: Sorana Cîrstea excels at taking the ball early, particularly on hard courts, putting immediate pressure on the server.
The 2025-2026 Campaign: High Stakes and Big Wins
The last 14 months have been a highlight reel for the Târgoviște-born athlete. Her performances at the “Sunshine Double” (Indian Wells and Miami) and her deep runs in Grand Slams have shown that she can go toe-to-toe with the world’s elite, including Top 5 players.
| Key Statistic (2025-26) | Performance Level | Impact |
| First Serve Points Won | ~72% | Dominance in service games |
| Top 10 Wins | 4 in the last year | Proves “Giant Killer” status |
| WTA Ranking | Top 25 Consistent | Seeds her for Grand Slams |
| Break Points Saved | 64% | Mental toughness under pressure |
Beyond the Baseline: A Role Model and Icon
Sorana Cîrstea’s influence extends far beyond her trophy cabinet. Known for her articulate interviews and candid nature, she has become a significant figure in sports marketing and a mentor for younger Romanian players.
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The Global Brand: Her partnerships with major sports and lifestyle brands highlight her status as a global icon of Romanian sport.
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Philanthropy: Sorana Cîrstea has quietly supported youth tennis initiatives in Romania, ensuring that the next generation has the facilities she lacked during her early years.
Romania’s Babeş-Bolyai University registers strong presence in Times Higher Education
