Preview Transylvania Open final | Raducanu looks for second WTA title against home favourite Cirstea

It is crunch time in the Transylvania Open final. Just two players remain with the title in sight after a fantastic week of fierce competition. In Cluj, the number one seed Emma Raducanu will take on Romanian's Sorana Cirstea in what is set to be a hugely eventful final.

Both players have had their ups and down enroute to the final, but for different reasons this is a very significant final. Raducanu is looking to get her second title on the board while Cirstea targets success in her homeland while also unlocking a brilliant memory in her final season on the WTA Tour.

September 11 2021. An 18-year-old Raducanu steps onto Arthur Ashe Stadium with one goal in mind: win the US Open. She takes down Leylah Fernandez to complete one of the greatest and most unexpected Grand Slam titles ever won, with praise coming thick and fast towards the youngster.

Fast forward four and a half years later, and that still remains as her only WTA title, and until today her only final. Injuries and inconsistent patches of form throughout these past years have cost her development dearly, with her struggling to make a huge impact in the sport.

She was looking to break this streak in her father's homeland and went to Cluj as the number one seed. Last time she was the top dog, it ended in the Hobart International quarter-final to Taylah Preston who was ranked outside the top 200. The Brit would not repeat any of those antics this week, comfortably disposing of Greet Minnen 6-0, 6-4 in her opening match before finding herself 5-0 down to Kaja Juvan. A run of 11 games saved her skin, with Raducanu claiming 13 of the final 14 games to win 7-5, 6-1 and avoid a huge upset and reach a second quarter-final of 2025.

In a carbon copy to her opening match, qualifier Maja Chwalinska was swept aside 6-0, 6-4 before Oleksandra Oliynykova was her next task, just one win away from the semi-finals. The first set alone lasted longer than two of her opening matches but she managed to prevail after a number of break at the end. She sailed into a 3-1 lead in the second, but a five-game losing streak saw a level match once more. However, Raducanu was able to turn the momentum and fend off a tricky customer 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 to finally break her final drought, something that she was very relieved to do. The next thing on the list is to keep up her 100% record in WTA final appearances.

The 35-year-old has enjoyed some career. A former Grand Slam quarter-finalist, a WTA 1000 runner-up back in 2013 and with three titles to her name. She will be looking for a fourth in her home country which may possibly be the best of all of them with this being her home event.

The spread of titles has been quite remarkable. Her first came all the way back in 2008 in Uzbekistan, showing off the longevity she possesses. Her most recent came in last July with Tennis in the Land success over Ann Li.

After a controversial end to the Australian Open, in which she confronted two-time champion Naomi Osaka at the net after their brilliant match, she is looking to put that behind her with more cherished memories in her final year on the WTA Tour, and no better place to do so than the Transylvania Open in front of an arena packed with her passionate fans.

The number three seed is yet to drop a set yet, and is looking in tip-top condition to seal a fourth title. Kamila Rakhimova was taken down 6-4, 6-4 before lucky loser Tamara Zidansek managed to clinch just one measly game in a 6-1, 6-0 routing. The reigning champion Anastasia Potapova would be next on the list to make way as she succumbed to a 7-5, 6-4 defeat with Cirstea then having no problem in taking down Daria Snigur 6-0, 6-3 in the semi-final, marking a brace of defeats for the Ukrainian underdogs in the last four stage.

Just one time the duo have met in their tennis careers, coming back to the start of Raducanu's venture in the WTA at Wimbledon in 2021. The British wildcard got a straight sets victory over Cirstea in the last-32, making the second week in a breakout week for the youngster.

Both players will be looking to dictate the play early on, with the brimming with confidence and momentum after a strong week. Especially Raducanu who came into this without her prior coach Francisco Roig, looking calm and composed without the Spaniard by her side. She is set to be met by a barrage from her opponent, who possesses a big serve and an aggressive nature. If can resist this and continue to stay composed and focused, then she has a brilliant chance of taking home the title. The tie will be contested on February 7 at 14:30 GMT.