CLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania — In a display of grit and resilience that harkened back to her historic US Open triumph, Britain's Emma Raducanu pulled off a stunning comeback from the brink of a first-set disaster to defeat world No. 97 Rebeka Masarova 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the first round of the Transylvania Open on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old, playing in the tournament for the third time, found herself in a seemingly impossible position in the opening set. Masarova, a powerful Spaniard, was in imperious form, dictating play with her heavy groundstrokes and capitalizing on a slew of unforced errors from Raducanu to race to a 5-0 lead.
Raducanu managed to avoid the dreaded "bagel" by holding serve to make it 5-1, but Masarova promptly served out the set 6-1. The match appeared to be heading for a swift and straightforward conclusion. However, the former US Open champion, who has battled a series of injuries and fluctuating form since her 2021 breakthrough, had other ideas.
The Great Escape: A Set Turned on Its Head
What transpired next was a masterclass in tactical adjustment and mental fortitude. Raducanu emerged for the second set a completely transformed player. She began to find her range, her footwork became more assured, and she started to take the ball earlier, robbing Masarova of time. The shift was immediate and dramatic.
Raducanu broke Masarova's serve in the opening game of the second set, a crucial moment that shifted the momentum irrevocably. She then reeled off five consecutive games, winning 20 of 24 points in one devastating stretch to level the match at one set apiece. The Spaniard, who had looked so dominant, was suddenly error-prone and unable to halt the Raducanu onslaught.
Speaking after the match, Raducanu pinpointed the moment she knew she could turn things around. "At 5-0 down, I just thought to myself, 'What do I have to lose?' I started to play more aggressively, to go for my shots, and I think that changed the match," she said.
Navigating a Decisive Third Set
The deciding set was a tense, tightly-contested affair that showcased Raducanu's improved physical conditioning and competitive spirit. She secured an early break to go 2-0 up, but Masarova, to her credit, fought back to level at 2-2. The pair exchanged breaks once more, leaving the set finely poised at 4-4. With the pressure at its peak, Raducanu produced her best tennis, breaking Masarova's serve for a fifth time in the match to lead 5-4 before serving out a memorable victory.
The statistics tell the story of a remarkable turnaround. After hitting 15 unforced errors in the first set, Raducanu drastically reduced that number to just 7 in the second and 8 in the third. Simultaneously, her winner count soared from a meager 2 in the opener to 11 and then 10 in the subsequent sets.
Key factors in Raducanu's comeback included:
- Improved First Serve: She increased her first-serve percentage from 56% in the first set to over 70% in the final two sets, giving her more control of the points.
- Aggressive Returning: She stepped inside the baseline to attack Masarova's second serve, winning 64% of those points overall.
- Mental Resilience: The ability to reset completely after a dismal start, a trait that defined her US Open run, was on full display.
A Crucial Victory in Context
This victory holds significant weight for Raducanu's 2024 season and beyond. Coming off a mixed hard-court swing and having slipped to No. 161 in the world rankings, a first-round exit in a WTA 250 event she has deep affection for would have been a tough setback. Instead, she notched just her second main-draw win of the season and demonstrated a fighting spirit that has sometimes been questioned during her injury struggles.
The Transylvania Open, held in the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca, is a special tournament for Raducanu, whose father is Romanian. She has spoken fondly of the support she receives from the local crowd. "It feels like a home tournament for me. The crowd always gives me such amazing energy, and I really needed that tonight," she told the on-court interviewer.
Her coach, Nick Cavaday, who has been working with her since the start of the year, praised her composure. "The most impressive thing was her problem-solving. She was getting outplayed early on, but she stayed calm, identified what wasn't working, and made the necessary changes. That's a real sign of growth," he was quoted as saying.
Looking Ahead in Cluj
The win sets up a tantalizing second-round clash with another former top-20 player seeking a resurgence: Croatia's Donna Vekic, the No. 8 seed. Vekic leads their head-to-head 1-0, having won a tight three-setter in San Diego last year. It promises to be another stern test of Raducanu's current level and her ability to back up a demanding victory.
For now, the tennis world is reminded of the champion's mentality that lies within Emma Raducanu. While the journey back to the top of the game remains a long one, filled with physical and competitive hurdles, performances like this one in Transylvania serve as a powerful reminder of her capabilities. It was more than just a comeback from 5-0 down; it was a statement of intent, a showcase of her trademark fighting spirit, and a vital step forward in her ongoing quest to rediscover her best form on the WTA Tour.
As she left the court to a roaring ovation, the message was clear: Emma Raducanu, despite the rankings and the recent challenges, remains a competitor of the highest order, capable of producing magic when her back is against the wall. The road in Cluj continues, but this epic escape will be remembered as a defining moment in her season.