After winning her first US Open title at Transylvanian Open in 2017, Emma Raducanu released her Romanian half to tell locals she loves them.
Before charming an almost empty crowd by speaking in Romanian, she defeated Polona Shecog, a Slovenian experienced speaker, 4-6-7-5, 6-1 to advance to the second round where she will face Ana Bogdan.
After winning in two hours, 28 minutes, she said that it meant a lot to her to play in Dad’s country.
Raducanu then tweeted, “Super happy to get my first ever WTA loss today.” Multumesc mult si, te iubesc.’
Translated from the Romanian: ‘Thanks very much and I love’
Emma Raducanu tweeted her first win since the Transylvanian Open victory at the US Open
This rooftop selfie was taken by the British No 1 after her latest victory.
Raducanu won the first match since her victory at the Transylvania Open in the US Open
Raducanu, with her father Ian. The tennis ace said ‘it means a lot to play in my dad’s country’ following her win in the Transylvanian Open
This was an ideal match for her, and it was the first time she won a match at this tour level.
Raducanu was promising before the new Romanian government regulations forced him to abandon his stand.
After winning a sixth breakpoint in the marathon second game, she led by 4-1.
Hercog, who was highly motivated, quickly began to show why she was once ranked number 35 in the World. She cut out errors and took advantage of her opponent’s decreased confidence on the serve.
The British No. 1 beat stubborn Slovenian Polona (pictured), who took the first set at Cluj
Raducanu lost the first set, after Raducanu lost five consecutive games.
Raducanu’s left hand was also becoming impetuous and shaky, and she shanked one at 4-4 to seal her commitment to love.
The US Open champion was able to hold her nerve at the beginning of the second and force three break points against the rangy Slovenian.
She was playing at Indian Wells just like Aliaksandra Sasnovich, but she was well above her ranking of 122, which is to be expected as Raducanu is her new target.
There was nothing end of season about Hercog, who hadn’t beaten a top 100 player since Roland Garros.
The 18-year-old was able to recover in amazing fashion and move into round two this week
Raducanu was in serious trouble at 4-4 when she was faced with a break point, but she managed to get out of it with the help an ace. At 5-5, there was more trouble but she managed to survive with a low, skidding rearhand.
She was able to create a first set point in her next game but could not send her backhand return long.
She was unable to handle Hercog’s angled drive, and a double fault was added. Her opponent obliged her by sending the ball long on the third.
Raducanu was able to overcome this and quickly move to 3-0 in the decider. She comfortably held on to the win to claim the match point on her fourth match point.