The Cluj-Napoca final promised a gripping, three-set duel but turned into a one-sided masterclass. Sorana Cirstea stormed past Emma Raducanu 6-0, 6-2 in just 63 minutes, silencing the crowd. Yet the story didn’t end with the scoreline, as Raducanu shifted the spotlight to the 35-year-old, offering candid, heartfelt praise for her opponent after the humbling defeat.

During the post-match trophy ceremony, she first acknowledged the people behind the event: “I want to say thank you to all the ball kids, all the umpires, and all the sponsors who made this tournament possible. There’s so much work that goes on behind the scenes.”

She then turned her attention to the fans who supported her throughout the week. The British star expressed her appreciation for the warm reception she received in Romania: “I want to thank the public. You really made me feel at home this week. Sorry, today I couldn’t bring my best.”

Raducanu also made sure to credit her opponent for an outstanding performance: “But congratulations as well to Sorana, you’ve had an incredible week. I think you’re playing great tennis. I don’t know if this is your last tournament in Cluj here, but I know if it were me, I’d be out on a high. Congrats for everything.”

The former US Open champion reflected on the significance of reaching another final. It was an emotional moment after a long gap: “Honestly, it’s been a while since I’ve given one of these speeches. It’s been like 4 or 5 years since my last final. It means a lot. I’m really happy it’s here in Cluj.”

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On court, however, the match proved extremely difficult for the top seed. Raducanu appeared physically drained after her long semi-final against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova just a day earlier. 

For Cirstea, the win carried special significance. The 35-year-old Romanian, playing what is expected to be her final season, captured the fourth WTA title of her 20-year career. 

Even the statistics reflected Raducanu’s difficult day. She finished with three double faults, 19 unforced errors, lost serve six times, and managed just one winner.

Raducanu later spoke about the physical and emotional demands of her run: “I used all of my resilience today. The match was very difficult – emotionally and physically. It required a lot of patience and a lot of mental strength, so I’m satisfied now. Winning four matches in a row is not something I’ve managed very often. But now that I feel this fatigue, these aches in my body, I see them as rewards for being in the final – I know it’s all worth it.”

Unless she makes a last-minute change, Raducanu is now expected to fly to Doha, where a tough draw awaits her.

Emma Raducanu was handed a challenging draw for the upcoming Qatar Open

Emma Raducanu has had a mixed start to her 2026 season. She is still searching for consistency after several early exits. Now, she turns her focus to the Qatar Open, the first WTA 1000 event of the year.

Her season began at the United Cup. Raducanu played only one match there and suffered a loss to Maria Sakkari.

Next, she competed at the Hobart International. The British star showed some improvement during the event. However, her run ended in the quarterfinals.

The Australian Open brought another setback. Raducanu’s campaign ended in the second round, where she was defeated by Anastasia Potapova.

Soon after the tournament, she made a major change. Raducanu and coach Francis Roig parted ways. Their partnership had lasted for six months.

Now, the 23-year-old is preparing for a fresh challenge in Doha. She has been handed a difficult draw at the Qatar Open. The tournament will test her form and confidence.

Raducanu will open her campaign against a qualifier. This gives her a good chance to start strongly. An early win could help her build momentum.

The path ahead, however, is far from easy. Her section includes Coco Gauff, Leylah Fernandez, and Ekaterina Alexandrova. All three players are in strong form.

If she reaches the semifinals, the challenge could become even tougher. Elena Rybakina is a possible opponent at that stage. She enters the event with high confidence after her Australian Open title.

At the top of the draw, Iga Swiatek holds the No. 1 seed. Amanda Anisimova is also seen as a serious threat in Swiatek’s half. The competition in Doha looks very strong.

And after her recent final loss in Romania, she now hopes for a strong response, but the question remains: can she produce a deep run in Qatar?