CLUJ-NAPOCA — In a display of resilience that harked back to her historic US Open triumph, Great Britain's Emma Raducanu produced a stunning comeback from the brink of a first-set whitewash to defeat Slovenia's Kaja Juvan 0-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the Transylvania Open on Tuesday. The former champion in Cluj, playing with a protected ranking, looked utterly lost in the opening stages before engineering a remarkable turnaround to advance in two hours and 23 minutes.
Raducanu's victory headlined a successful day for British women in Romania, as compatriots Sonay Kartal and Katie Boulter also secured their places in the second round. Kartal, continuing her impressive form from qualifying, defeated Germany's Tamara Korpatsch 6-3, 6-2, while top seed Boulter navigated a tricky encounter with Romanian wildcard Anca Todoni, winning 6-3, 6-4. However, it was Raducanu's rollercoaster performance that captured the imagination and demonstrated her fighting spirit.
A Disastrous Start and a Glimmer of Hope
The match began in nightmare fashion for the 21-year-old Briton. Juvan, a close friend of Raducanu's off the court, came out with relentless aggression and precision, targeting Raducanu's vulnerable second serve and dictating play from the baseline. Raducanu, by contrast, was error-strewn and tentative, winning just eight points in the entire first set as Juvan raced to a 5-0 lead in under 20 minutes. The Slovenian served for the set at 5-0, 40-15, holding two set points to complete a 6-0 bagel.
It was at this precipice that the match's momentum shifted imperceptibly. Raducanu saved both set points, forcing Juvan to deuce. Though Juvan eventually closed out the set 6-0 on her third opportunity, the extra minutes on court and the small resistance shown proved crucial. Raducanu had found a foothold. "At 5-0, I was just thinking, 'I cannot go home without winning a game'," Raducanu admitted in her post-match interview. "That was really the only thing going through my mind. Just make this competitive."
The Engine of the Comeback: Defence
The second set saw a transformed Raducanu. She began to extend the rallies, using her superior court coverage to absorb Juvan's power and draw errors. Her first-serve percentage improved dramatically, and she started to find her trademark clean groundstrokes. After exchanging early breaks, Raducanu secured a decisive break for a 4-2 lead and held her nerve to serve out the set 6-3, forcing a decider. The tactical adjustment was clear:
- Improved First Serve: She began landing more first serves, giving her control of the point from the outset.
- Extended Rallies: She consciously lengthened the points, testing Juvan's consistency.
- Mental Fortitude: She embraced the fight, celebrating every point won with renewed vigor.
Juvan, perhaps frustrated by her missed opportunity for a straightforward win, began to show signs of physical discomfort, receiving treatment on her lower back during a medical timeout. Raducanu, however, maintained her focus. "I knew I had to stay in every point, run for every ball, and make it physically tough," Raducanu said.
Sealing the Deal in the Decider
The third set was a tense, tight affair. Raducanu broke early for a 2-1 lead, but Juvan, showing her own resilience, broke straight back. The pair remained on serve until the crucial ninth game, where Raducanu elevated her level. She produced a series of stunning defensive gets, turning defence into offence, and broke Juvan's serve to love to lead 5-4. Serving for the match, Raducanu showed no signs of nerves, holding to 15 and sealing victory with a confident forehand winner.
The statistics told the story of the turnaround. After winning just 8 points in the first set, Raducanu won 75 across the next two. She saved 8 of the 11 break points she faced after the first set, demonstrating clutch play under pressure. "It's a great win for me, just in terms of fighting through and not giving up," she reflected.
British Success Across the Board
Raducanu's win was part of a British triple. Sonay Kartal, ranked 298, continued her remarkable rise with a dominant display over world number 81 Tamara Korpatsch. Kartal's powerful baseline game proved too consistent, marking another main-draw win for the 22-year-old who has enjoyed a breakthrough season. Top seed Katie Boulter, meanwhile, handled the pressure of her seeding and the local crowd with maturity, dispatching the talented teenager Anca Todoni in straight sets.
The results set up intriguing second-round matches. Boulter will face Czech teenager Brenda Fruhvirtova. Kartal has a tough assignment against the experienced Romanian Ana Bogdan, who will have strong crowd support. Raducanu's reward for her comeback is a match against another in-form player, Ukraine's Daria Snigur, who defeated Chinese star Wang Xiyu.
A Sign of Progress and Resilience
For Raducanu, this victory represents more than just a first-round win. Coming after a series of injuries and a challenging period rebuilding her game and confidence, battling back from such a deficit is a significant mental milestone. It is the kind of victory that can catalyze belief. "Winning when you're not playing your best is one of the most satisfying feelings," she stated, acknowledging the imperfect nature of the performance.
The Transylvania Open, played in a region with personal significance for Raducanu given her Romanian heritage, has been a happy hunting ground before. This comeback win, echoing the fearlessness of her 2021 Flushing Meadows run, suggests she is rediscovering the competitive steel that defines her at her best. While challenges remain, her ability to navigate from 0-5 down to a three-set victory sends a clear message to the tour: Emma Raducanu's fighting spirit is very much intact.