Emma Raducanu produced one of her most assured displays in recent months as she cruised into the second round of the Transylvania Open with a convincing straight-sets victory over Belgium’s Greet Minnen in Cluj-Napoca.
The British No. 1, playing her first match since her second-round exit at the Australian Open and her subsequent split from coach Francisco Roig, dominated proceedings to claim a 6-0, 6-4 win on Monday evening. It was a performance defined by aggressive shot-making, sharp movement and a renewed sense of composure.
Raducanu, now ranked world No. 30 and the tournament’s top seed, wasted little time asserting control. She swept through the opening set in just 25 minutes, dropping no games and winning an impressive 90 per cent of points behind her first serve. Minnen found more resistance in the second set, but Raducanu broke decisively in the third game and maintained her advantage to seal the match.
The 23-year-old was joined courtside by Alexis Canter, a former British professional player, as she continues to reassess her coaching setup. The latest change follows a period of instability that has seen Raducanu work with multiple coaches since her historic US Open triumph in 2021.
Speaking after the match, Raducanu expressed satisfaction with both her performance and mindset.
“I’m very happy today. I played a great match from the beginning,” she said. “I was super aggressive and the crowd was incredible from the moment I walked out. Indoors, it’s a bit easier to execute my game, and I’m really pleased with how I stayed committed against a tricky opponent.”
The victory comes after a disrupted start to her season. Raducanu’s 2025 campaign was cut short by injury and illness, while her 2026 preparations included an early loss at the United Cup, a quarter-final exit in Hobart and a second-round defeat at the Australian Open to Anastasia Potapova.
Back in Cluj-Napoca for the first time in five years, Raducanu appeared refreshed and focused as she advanced to a second-round meeting with Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan, currently ranked world No. 97.
Former Wimbledon champion Simona Halep, an honorary ambassador of the tournament, watched on as Raducanu delivered a statement performance that may signal a turning point in her season.
Following the Transylvania Open, Raducanu is scheduled to compete at the WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai later this month, before heading to the United States for Indian Wells and the Miami Open in March.
