Raducanu Dominates Minnen To Start New Chapter In Cluj

Emma Raducanu has made a statement in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, roaring back onto the WTA Tour with a dominant 6-0, 6-4 victory over Belgium's Greet Minnen at the Transylvania Open on Monday, February 2, 2026. The British No. 1, who just days ago announced her split with coach Francis Roig, showcased a renewed sense of freedom and aggression, rekindling memories of her 2021 US Open triumph as she swept aside her opponent in just over an hour.

For Raducanu, this was more than just a first-round win. It marked her first competitive outing since a disappointing second-round exit at last month's Australian Open—a loss that prompted her to end her six-month partnership with Roig, Rafael Nadal's former mentor. "Very happy today. I think I played a great match from the beginning. I was super aggressive and the crowd from the minute I walked out was incredible," Raducanu said after the match, reflecting a sense of relief and satisfaction with her performance.

Taking the court as the tournament's top seed and world No. 30, Raducanu wasted no time asserting her authority. The opening set lasted just 25 minutes, with Raducanu bageling Minnen 6-0 and winning an impressive 90% of her first-serve points. She dropped only nine points in that opening stanza, overwhelming the Belgian with a barrage of flat, powerful groundstrokes and pinpoint serving. The British star fired three aces and won over 70% of her second-serve points, a testament to her aggressive intent and sharp execution.

The second set offered a greater challenge as Minnen dug in, but Raducanu broke serve in the third game and never relinquished control. She maintained her composure on serve, never facing a break point, and closed out the match with the kind of clinical efficiency that has made her a fan favorite. The crowd in Cluj—enthusiastic and vocal, and featuring former Wimbledon champion Simona Halep as honorary ambassador—were treated to a display of tennis that was both ruthless and entertaining.

This return to Romania was especially meaningful for Raducanu, whose father Ion hails from the country. It had been five years since she last played in Cluj-Napoca, and her homecoming was greeted with open arms by the local fans. The setting seemed to inspire her, as she later commented that the indoor conditions suited her attacking style perfectly: "I think today was a great performance. I wanted to put my game out on the court and it's a little bit easier indoors so I'm really pleased I could kind of use that," she explained.

Raducanu's latest coaching shake-up is just the most recent chapter in a career already marked by frequent changes in her support team. Since her breakthrough at the 2021 US Open, she has worked with at least nine coaches, including Mark Petchey, Nick Cavaday, and, most recently, Roig. For the Transylvania Open, she was accompanied only by hitting partner and former British pro Alexis Canter. After her Australian Open exit, she also spent time training under doubles specialist Louis Cayer at the National Tennis Centre, seeking to recapture the aggressive, hard-hitting style that brought her earlier success.

The decision to part ways with Roig was described as mutual, with both parties expressing gratitude for their time together. "Francis, thank you for our time together," Raducanu posted on social media. "You have been more than a coach to me and I will cherish the many good times we spent together on and off the court. While we have come to the conclusion together that we ought not to move forward, please know that I am very grateful for all you have taught me and fond of our time shared." The amicable split leaves Raducanu, at least for now, without a permanent coach as she navigates the early part of the 2026 season.

Her on-court transformation was evident from the first ball. Gone was the Spanish-style forehand with heavy topspin and variety; in its place was a flatter, more direct approach, with Raducanu looking to hit to the corners and dictate play. "I just want to hit the ball to the corners and hard. I feel like I'm doing all this variety, and it's not doing what I want it to do. I need to work on playing in a way more similar to how I was playing when I was younger," she stated, referencing her desire to return to the aggressive brand of tennis that brought her to global prominence.

With the victory, Raducanu advanced to the round of 16, where she is set to face Slovenia's Kaja Juvan, ranked world No. 97, on Wednesday, February 4. The matchup promises to be a test of whether Raducanu can sustain her new-found momentum against a more resilient opponent. As the top seed in this WTA 250 event, expectations are high, but Raducanu appears to be relishing the challenge and the opportunity for a fresh start.

Her schedule for the coming weeks is packed and ambitious. After Cluj-Napoca, Raducanu will head to the Middle East for back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments in Doha (February 8–14) and Dubai (February 16–22), before traveling to Indian Wells and Miami in March. These events will offer a stern test of her revived approach and provide further clues as to whether she can recapture the form that made her a Grand Slam champion at just 18.

Commentators and analysts have noted Raducanu's willingness to continually re-evaluate her game and coaching arrangements, a trait that has drawn both praise and criticism. Sky Sports' Jonathan Overend observed, "It's typical of Raducanu that she wants to keep re-evaluating and finding out what is best for her on and around a tennis court. That challenge continues, and to some extent it is a struggle, because finding the right balance is so hard, but I think she is slowly getting [it], not in terms of her Grand Slam results but in terms of that re-evaluation process."

Raducanu's journey has been anything but straightforward. After an injury- and illness-plagued 2025 season, she started 2026 with a loss at the United Cup and a quarter-final exit at the Hobart International before her early departure from the Australian Open. With each setback, however, she has displayed a remarkable resilience and an unyielding commitment to growth and adaptation.

As the Transylvania Open continues, all eyes will be on Raducanu as she seeks to build on this impressive start. The questions about her long-term coaching situation remain unresolved, but for now, it's her tennis—and her unmistakable fighting spirit—that are doing the talking. The next chapter begins Wednesday, as Raducanu faces Kaja Juvan with a place in the quarter-finals on the line and the tennis world watching closely.