Cirstea Defeats Raducanu to Claim Cluj-Napoca Victory
Sorana Cirstea claimed a remarkable victory at the Transylvania Open, defeating top-seed Emma Raducanu 6-0, 6-2. The match took place in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and lasted just 63 minutes. This win marks a significant achievement for the 35-year-old Romanian player, who has announced that 2026 will be her final professional season.
Cirstea’s Celebrated Win in Cluj-Napoca
Cirstea, seeded No. 3, received an enthusiastic backing from the crowd during warmups. Their support was palpable as she dominated the match, breaking Raducanu’s serve in all three of her service games during the first set. By winning 30 out of 45 points, Cirstea secured the first set in just 29 minutes.
Match Highlights
- Date: Match held on Saturday
- Duration: 63 minutes
- First Set: Cirstea won 6-0
- Second Set: Cirstea won 6-2
- Unforced Errors by Raducanu: 19
- Double Faults by Raducanu: 3
- Winners by Raducanu: 1
Raducanu struggled, facing multiple unforced errors and double faults throughout the match. Despite a brief recovery after a medical timeout, she was unable to overcome Cirstea’s momentum. Cirstea ultimately took control of the match, breaking Raducanu again to lead 4-2 and securing her victory with a final double fault by Raducanu.
A Historic Victory
This triumph at the Transylvania Open positions Cirstea as only the third Romanian woman to win a WTA Tour title on home soil in the Open Era. She joins the ranks of notable players like Irina-Camelia Begu and Simona Halep. Halep herself presented the trophy to Cirstea, adding significance to the occasion.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Cirstea now holds four career titles, the most recent being her victory in Cleveland last summer. As she heads toward her tenth consecutive season within the Top 100, she expressed gratitude for the experience of the week. “I thought I played a very, very good match against a tough opponent,” she said in her post-match remarks. Cirstea plans to participate in upcoming tournaments, likely competing next in Dubai.
As she approaches retirement, Cirstea reflects on her long career with pride. “This is special for me,” she stated. “I’m going to retire a happy athlete because of this trophy.”
