British number one Emma Raducanu faces Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova in the semi-finals of the Transylvania Open today, with the 23-year-old aiming to continue her hunt for a second WTA singles title.
Raducanu eased past Maja Chwalinska in the quarter-finals yesterday, beating the Polish qualifier 6-0, 6-4 to book her place in the last four in Cluj.
The top seed will face world number 91 Oliynykova in the semis, with the Ukrainian entering the tournament off the back of her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open this year.
And the winner will a potential final against Romanian third seed Sorana Cîrstea, who is participating in her home open for the final time in 2026.
Follow all the latest updates from Cluj below:
Emma Raducanu vs Oleksandra Oliynykova live
- Emma Raducanu faces Oleksandra Oliynykova in semi-final of Transylvania Open
- Raducanu aims to make final as she continues hunt for second WTA title
- Ukrainian Oliynykova is currently ranked as world No. 91
Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 5-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
17:54 , Chris WilsonA brilliant passing shot to begin with from Raducanu, answering the question from Oliynykova and fizzing a great shot past her for 15-0.
Oliynykova goes long on the next two points after some good approach play from Raducanu, and the Briton consolidates the break as her opponent finds the net.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 4-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova
17:51 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
A potentially vital game for Raducanu if she can secure a break here, with Oliynykova struggling a bit.
She makes a good start as the Ukrainian hits a wild return out before slicing wide for 0-40!
And she wraps up a very quick game as Oliynykova finds the net!
Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 3-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
17:48 , Chris WilsonA quick 30-0 lead for Raducanu before Oliynykova sends a shot past the baseline and then another wide for 3-2.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 2-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova
17:45 , Chris WilsonA good start from Raducanu, with more good approach play, but Oliynykova brings it level before a great rally ends with the Ukrainian firing narrowly wide to give the top seed a 40-15 lead!
Two break points, but Oliynykova saves the first...before a clever cushioned volley brings the break for the Briton!
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 1-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
17:40 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
Not the best of starts for Raducanu as she falls 30-0 behind, before a brilliant baxkhand passing shot from Oliynykova gives her three break points!
She only needs one, approaching the net before firing into the empty space for the break.
*Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 1-1 Oleksandra Oliynykova
17:37 , Chris WilsonSimple enough for Oliynykova, driving down the line for 30-0 before a lovely backhand wrong-foots Raducanu.
The Briton finds the net and Oliynykova holds.
Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6, 1-0 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
17:35 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
Raducanu to serve first in the final set.
Not the best of starts as she stumbles to 30-all, though Oliynykova goes long for 40-30 and then fires wide.
First blood to Raducanu.
SET! Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6 Oleksandra Oliynykova
17:26 , Chris WilsonSo we’ll go to a deciding set in Cluj as Emma Raducanu bids to make Saturday’s final!
She’s got plenty to do in Romania if she wants to continues her hunt for a second WTA title.
SET! Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-6 Oleksandra Oliynykova
17:23 , Chris WilsonBetter from Raducanu, who fires a superb backhand across the court for 15-0.
And a double fault from Oliynykova gives the Briton a real chance to fight back here, and she’ll have two break points after the Ukrainian fires long.
One break point after she can’t return the serve.
And deuce after another great serve from Oliynykova.
And now set point after the top seed goes wide!
A long return gives Oliynykova the second set!
Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-5 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
17:19 , Chris WilsonA slice of luck for Raducanu to get to 15-all, but some good approach play makes for a simple volley at the net fot 30-15.
However, another solid backhand down the line brings Oliynykova level again, before Raducanu hits wide to offer a break point.
“When you can attack, full intent,” is the advice from her coach.
Not relevant yet though, as Oliynykova wraps up her fourth game in a row!
*Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-4 Oleksandra Oliynykova
17:13 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
A well-worked winner from Raducanu to begin with and she moves into a 30-0 lead.
A couple of superb returns keep Oliynykova, the Ukrainian recovering from a slip as Raducanu hits the net.
And a beauty of a drop shot brings Oliynykova to 30-all! Perfect weight on the slice and it lands well out of reach.
Can she capitalise though? She can! A perfectly placed lob sails over Raducanu for 40-30.
And Oliynykova wraps it up as the Briton fires long.
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-3 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
17:08 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
Oliynykova looked fairly comfortable for a second there but double faulted to bring it to 30-30.
However, Raducanu finds the net on the next two points to make it 3-2.
The Briton is up to serve for 4-2, and she takes a 30-15 lead before slipping up for 30-all.
Oliynykova saves deuce with a well-placed forehand, before winning advantage. She’s not giving up yet!
And she takes the game with another accomplished forehand across the court.
Emma Raducanu 7-5, 3-1 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
16:58 , Chris WilsonBrave play from Oliynykova as she deliberately scoops a lob to try and set herself up for a winner, but the next shot cannons wide for 15-all.
Raducanu fires an accomplished forehand winner for 40-15 but Oliynykova answers with an even better backhand down the line.
And some brilliant approach play sets up a winner that is volleyed home by Raducanu for 3-1!
*Emma Raducanu 7-5, 2-1 Oleksandra Oliynykova
16:51 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
Slightly bizarre phenomenon in Cluj at the moment, with both players struggling on their serve!
Raducanu gets into a 40-0 lead...and Oliynykova double faults to give the Briton the third break of the second set!
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 7-5, 1-1 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
16:48 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
Another great rally produces some lovely shots from both players, but Oliynykova finds a passing shot for 15-30.
Raducanu scuffs a return and it goes long, giving Oliynykova two break points.
The first one is saved after some great approach play, and the second produces an even better passage as the Briton wrong-foots her opponent with a deft backhand.
Oliynykova finds an inch-perfect backhand return down the line for advantage, but we move back to deuce after another rally sees the Ukrainian hit out of play.
Another advantage for Oliynykova after a clever lob...and the Ukrainian breaks back!
*Emma Raducanu 7-5, 1-0 Oleksandra Oliynykova
16:40 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
Here we go in set two then. Not a great start for Oliynykova as she double faults.
The Ukrainian finds the net with a return on the next point and this could be a great opportunity for Raducanu for an early break.
Three break points now!
And the Briton seals it with the first! A huge break for the top seed and she’s really in control of this one now.
SET! Emma Raducanu 7-5 Oleksandra Oliynykova
16:34 , Chris WilsonA good start to what she hopes will be the final game of the set, with Raduncanu racing into a 30-0 lead.
She wrong-foots Oliynykova with a great backhand to give herself three set points...
...and she only needs one! The Briton capitalises and she has the upper hand now ahead of a defining set in the match.
BREAK! *Emma Raducanu 5-5 Oleksandra Oliynykova
16:30 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
A lovely slice and an even better passing shot give Oliynykova a 40-0 lead on her serve.
However, Raducanu fights back, a couple of brilliant returns forcing Oliynykova over the baseline for deuce.
The Ukrainian moves into the advantage with a brilliant backhand down the line, though she can’t capitalise as we move to deuce.
Oliynykova finds the tramlines with her next return, giving Raducanu another break point, but the Briton fires wide!
The Ukrainian makes an unforced error before Raducanu slams a volley home for another break!
A slight worry here though as the British number one calls for a physio...
BREAK! Emma Raducanu 5-5 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
16:15 , Chris Wilson*denotes next to serve
A bit of a nightmare on the next point, as Raducanu double faults to hand her opponent the advantage and a third break point.
Once again though, Oliynykova can’t take advantage, and she finds the net with a return.
A better approach from Raducanu seals the next point, and the Briton has set point, but a return floats long for deuce once more.
And Oliynykova strikes back with a break of her own!
Emma Raducanu 5-4 Oleksandra Oliynykova
16:12 , Chris WilsonA slight worry for the British number one as she falls into a 30-0 deficit.
She threatens to bring it back with an accomplished forehand but Oliynykova makes it 15-40 with an even better passing shot.
Break point...but Raducanu saves it with an inch-perfect lob!
Second break point...and the Briton saves it again, a superb rally seeing several shots from the baseline before a return from Oliynykova crashes into the net for deuce.
*Emma Raducanu 5-4 Oleksandra Oliynykova
16:03 , Chris Wilson*denotes server
Shot of the day so far from Raducanu, who nails a passing shot across the court for 15-all.
She’s not able to capitalise right away, though a double fault from Oliynykova brings it to 30-all.
Oh, what that the chance!? Raducanu races towards the net but can’t squeeze the return over!
The Briton rescues it for now though, and we have deuce as Oliynykova hooks over the line.
A strong rally from the Ukrainian gives her the advantage, but a mis-placed slice brings it back level.
And here’s the chance, Raducanu earning the first break point of the first set...and he grabs it! Oliynykova scoops long again and Raducanu breaks!
*Emma Raducanu 4-4 Oleksandra Oliynykova
15:56 , Chris WilsonCertainly seems like we’re heading for a tie-break in this first set!
More strong play from Raducanu on her serve, Oliynykova going long on return to make it 40-0.
The Briton wraps it up to love to move to 4-4.
Emma Raducanu 3-4 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
15:52 , Chris WilsonCan Raducanu find the first break of the match then?
Not yet, with a superb passing shot from Oliynykova giving her a 30-15 lead.
Raducanu overhits the return from the serve for 40-15, but the Briton has another lifeline after Oliynykova does the same on the next point...
No matter for the Ukrainian though, and she confidently dispatches a forehand winner across the court for 4-3.
*Emma Raducanu 3-3 Oleksandra Oliynykova
15:48 , Chris Wilson*denotes server
An easy game Oliynykova, who wraps it up to love. Raducanu looks a little irritated with herself but there’s plenty of time to strike in this one.
More good net play from the British number one as she gets into a 30-0 lead on her serve, though she sends a return wide to bring it level two points later.
However, Raducanu is able to hold her nerve on the next rally as Oliynykova makes a mistake, and the top seeds wraps up the game with a brilliant backhand winner from the back of the court.
*Emma Raducanu 2-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova
15:40 , Chris WilsonOliynykova hooked long on the first point before a decent rally produces several good forehands from each player, though Raducanu ends with the point.
Another return lands out from the Ukrainian and Raducanu wraps the game up with a great approach,
Emma Raducanu 1-2 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
15:35 , Chris WilsonRaducanu looks to break early in game three, and she gets a fighting chance with a great slice to move 30-15 up.
She doesn’t capitalise though, losing the next point before hooking long to give the Ukrainian the lead again.
*denotes server
*Emma Raducanu 1-1 Oleksandra Oliynykova
15:33 , Will CastleRaducanu survives a bit of adversity in the second, with Oliynykova hanging off for a number of advantage points.
But as the Ukrainian slices a backhand into the net, Raducanu secures a hard-fought hold.
Emma Raducanu 0-1 Oleksandra Oliynykova*
15:28 , Will Castle*denotes server
We are underway, folks!
Oliynkykova serves first and holds comfortably, despite being pegged back to 15-15.
Who could Raducanu face in the final?
15:00 , Chris WilsonIf Emma Raducanu is to get past Oliynykova this afternoon, the British number one could face either Sorana Cîrstea or Daria Snigur in Saturday’s final.
Home hopeful Cîrstea is playing her final home Open after announcing her impending retirement, and she began the tournament as third seed.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Snigur is ranked 144 in the world, though she did beat second-seed Jaqueline Cristian in the round of 16.
Still some time to go before Raducanu takes to the court
14:54 , Will CastleWe’ve got some time to kill before Emma Raducanu takes to the court of her semi-final clash with Oleksandra Oliynykova, with the current match on Centre Court going into a deciding set.
Third seeded women’s doubles pairing Kamilla Rakhimova and Sara Sorribes Tormo had a chance to seal their place in the final after taking the first set 6-2, but were edged out in the second-set tie-break with Veronika Erjavec and Sarah Rakotomanga winning 8-6.
We go to a third set - and our 3pm projected start time is pushed back a tad.
Emma Raducanu sacks latest coach after scathing Australian Open criticism
14:45 , Will CastleEmma Raducanu has split from her coach, Francisco Roig, after lamenting that she had lost her tennis “identity” following her tame second-round defeat at the Australian Open.
The former US Open champion said following her loss to Anastasia Potapova that she wanted to “re-evaluate” her game and work on playing like she did when she was younger, in comments that appeared to signal her unhappiness at some of Roig’s instructions.
The Spaniard, who was part of Rafael Nadal’s team for 16 of his 22 grand slam titles, joined the Raducanu camp in August and before the US Open, but the British No 1 will now head in a different direction after confirming her latest coaching change.
Emma Raducanu sacks latest coach after scathing Australian Open criticism
WATCH: How Raducanu reacted to Australian Open exit last month
14:37 , Will CastleRaducanu is good spirits after quarter-final win
14:30 , Will Castle“I’m very happy with my performance,” Emma Raducanu said in her on-court interview after beating Maja Chwalinska. “I think I played a great match from the beginning and (am) really pleased I could get off to that start.
“As always, there’s going to be some moments of adversity that you need to overcome, and I did that well in the second set.
“So (I’m) really proud of how I did that. And Maya’s a really tricky opponent, moves incredibly well, has great hand skills, so she’s done a great job this week, qualifying and coming all the way here.
“So (I’m) really pleased to have overcome that challenge.
“I didn’t have much time last night to kind of get ready for this one. I’m just really focusing on recovery. Because each match, no matter the scoreline, it takes a lot out of you just to be so focused for however long it takes.
“So yeah, (I) need to just recover.”
Emma Raducanu cruises into Transylvania Open semi-finals with straight sets win
14:23 , Chris WilsonAnd the report from the win in the last eight...
Emma Raducanu bossed her way into the semi-finals of the Transylvania Open in Cluj.
The top seed showed her class with a straight-sets demolition of Poland’s Maja Chwalinska, winning a one-sided quarter-final 6-0 6-4.
She moves into her fourth career semi-final and will face world number 91 Oleksandra Oliynykova as she moves closer to winning her first tournament since the incredible success at the US Open in 2021.
Raducanu certainly played like a champion in wait in Romania, barely giving her opponent a sniff, with a dominant, attacking display.
Emma Raducanu cruises into Transylvania Open semi-finals with straight sets win
Emma Raducanu feels energised by fans after fighting back to beat Kaja Juvan
14:15 , Chris WilsonThe report from Raducanu’s win in the round of 16...
Emma Raducanu recovered from 5-0 down in the first set to beat Kaja Juvan 7-5 6-1 and progress to the quarter-finals of the Transylvania Open.
The number one seed, who is playing her first tournament since splitting from coach Francis Roig in the wake of her early exit from the Australian Open, won a remarkable 10 straight games and 13 of the final 14 to avoid an embarrassing upset.
Her Slovenian opponent stormed into a commanding lead with Raducanu seemingly surprised by the level of the world number 97 and appearing to be suffering some discomfort in her leg.
Emma Raducanu feels energised by fans after fighting back to beat Kaja Juvan
Good afternoon
14:00 , Chris WilsonHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Transylvania Open semi-final between Emma Raducanu and Oleksandra Oliynykova.
The top-seed Briton continues her hunt for a second WTA title as she faces the Ukrainian, with a place in the final on the line in Cluj.
And we’ll have all the latest updates right here.
