EMMA RADUCANU REACHES FIRST SEMIFINAL OF 2026 AT CLUJ-NAPOCA WTA 250
Emma Raducanu is in her first semifinal of 2026 in Cluj-Napoca and has received a favourable opening draw for the Qatar Open.
Emma Raducanu’s week just keeps getting better. While she’s making a strong run in Cluj-Napoca, she found out she’ll open the Qatar Open in Doha against a qualifier—a pretty decent draw, all things considered.
Right now, Raducanu’s the top seed at the WTA 250 event in Cluj-Napoca, and she’s finally back in a semifinal, her first of the season. She’ll face Oleksandra Oliynykova, who’s ranked No. 91 and is playing her first-ever WTA semifinal. Not exactly a familiar opponent, but Raducanu knows not to underestimate her.
While she’s gearing up for that match, the Doha draw dropped, and honestly, it’s about as good as she could hope for—she won’t know exactly who she’s playing until the qualifiers wrap up, but getting a qualifier always feels like a small win.
Doha hasn’t been her happiest hunting ground. She’s played there twice before and lost in the first round both times, in 2024 and 2025.
Asked how she feels heading into the Cluj-Napoca semifinal, Raducanu said, “I’m really happy to be in the semifinals. It’s been a few months since I last reached one, so to be back in this position means a lot—the hard work over the past weeks is being rewarded.”
She admitted she doesn’t know much about Oliynykova, but she’s not taking her lightly. “I know she plays well. She’s beaten some strong opponents and had a very high-quality match against Madison Keys at the Australian Open. I’ll need to be very focused and in my best shape tomorrow. I don’t know how the match will unfold, but it’s clear we’ll both give our best. She’s a fighter, and I’m also pleased with how I’ve handled things throughout the week.”
If Raducanu wins the title in Cluj-Napoca, she’ll head into Doha with her first trophy since that electrifying US Open run in 2021.
WHY CARLOS ALCARAZ REMAINS CONFIDENT AFTER HIS SHOCKING MIAMI OPEN EXIT
Carlos Alcaraz remains upbeat after a 3-set Miami Open loss to Sebastian Korda, focusing on the upcoming clay season.
Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s top-ranked player, isn’t letting his Miami Open exit shake him. After losing in three sets to Sebastian Korda on Sunday, he was upbeat about his progress and already looking ahead to the clay court season.
“Honestly, I’ll probably head home,” Alcaraz said, still fresh from his loss. “Just spend a few days relaxing with my family and friends. We’ll see how much my team lets me rest they usually keep me on a short leash.”
The clay season is coming up fast, so he’s focused on recharging. “I need to take a little break, clear my head, get my energy back, and make sure I’m in top shape for clay,” he said.
Korda, ranked 36th, is actually the lowest-ranked player to beat Alcaraz since David Goffin knocked him out in Miami last year. Since then, Alcaraz racked up a stunning 73-6 record, including a 16-match winning streak to kick off 2026. He grabbed the Australian Open title, becoming the youngest player ever to complete a career Grand Slam at just 22. He also won in Doha, and made the semifinal at Indian Wells before this Miami stumble.
Every time he steps onto the court, Alcaraz knows he’s got a target on his back. “When you keep winning and your record looks good, it lifts the pressure off your opponents,” he said. “They’ve got way more to gain than lose they go out there and just swing freely.”
He’s careful not to let that pressure get to him. “I don’t really think about it. I don’t feel it. I just try to play my best.”
Even after the loss, Alcaraz says he feels his game is moving in the right direction. “Everything I practiced, I think I did well. Some things were off in earlier tournaments, but this one, I started feeling better and better,” he said. “The process is working. Even with today’s loss, I’m still on the right path.”
DISCOVER WHY IGA SWIATEK AND WIM FISSETTE ENDED THEIR WIMBLEDON-WINNING PARTNERSHIP
Iga Swiatek and coach Wim Fissette end their partnership following a shock Miami Open loss to Magda Linette in 2026.
Wim Fissette and Iga Swiatek have officially ended their coach-player partnership, and honestly, it sounds like both of them were hoping for even more out of their time together. After her early exit from the Miami Open, where Swiatek unexpectedly lost to fellow Pole Magda Linette and snapped her streak of 73 straight wins in tournament openers, she took to social media to make it clear she’s heading in a new direction.
Swiatek admitted it was a tough period full of important lessons and challenges. She thanked Fissette for his support, saying they had achieved a lot, including one of her biggest dreams in sport. The two began working together at the end of 2024, and during their partnership, Swiatek snagged three tournament wins, including a Wimbledon title last year. She wrapped up her post with a heartfelt thanks: “Wim, thank you for this time and the lessons I’ve learned thanks to you. I wish you all the best, both professionally and personally.”
Fissette responded, reflecting on their journey and recalling when he first met Swiatek at the 2018 Wimbledon Champions' dinner after she won the juniors. Seven years later, they won Wimbledon together. He said, “We both wanted and worked for more, but shared important moments and lessons. Iga, I now wish you good luck and success in what’s next. I’m sure you’ll have it.”
He also took a moment to thank Swiatek’s fans, especially the Polish community, for their support. Fissette has met many of them in person and appreciates the passion they bring to tennis. He hopes the sport continues to grow in Poland. Now, with his family by his side, he says he’s grateful for all the kind messages he’s received and is looking forward to whatever comes next.
With the Miami Open behind her, Swiatek’s focus now shifts to the clay court season, which is usually where she shines. Her first tournament on clay this year will be the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, a title she’s already won back-to-back in 2022 and 2023.
