Emma Raducanu: British No 1 takes positives from Transylvania Open final defeat and says she is finding her 'identity' on the court

Emma Raducanu says she will take positives from her Transylvania Open final defeat revealing she is finding her 'identity" on the court and playing "in the way I want to".

Raducanu missed the chance to win her first title since her US Open triumph in 2021 after losing in straight sets to home favourite Sorana Cirstea in the Transylvania Open final.

Raducanu, who is projected to climb five spots up to world No 25 on Monday, admitted feeling the effects of her marathon semi-final win against Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova on Friday.

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"I'm really happy to have made progress this week and made the final," Raducanu told Sky Sports in an exclusive interview after her defeat.

"It means a lot to me. It's sad that today couldn't go a bit better, but I think Sorana played incredibly from start to finish, and my energy was pretty low after my battle yesterday. I'm really happy with the steps I made this week, and I think it's moving in the right direction."

The British No 1, who was dumped out of the Australian Open in the second round by Anastasia Potapova, admitted suffering from illness and fatigue since arriving in Cluj-Napoca.

"I didn't really have much energy, and it was really difficult. Sorana played so well - I had no chance if I wasn't 100 per cent, and even if I was 100 per cent, she was still playing incredible tennis. So all credit to her, she really deserves this one."

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Raducanu is being assisted by LTA coach Alexis Canter after parting ways with Francisco Roig after just six months working with the Spaniard.

"He's been helping me, hitting with me, and he's been around me through various different stages, very different game styles, and trying to just bring me back to myself - my game identity - playing in the way I want to," Raducanu said.

"I think this week was a good step in that direction. I'm really happy with how the week's gone. I don't know what I'll be doing moving forward, but for now, this is working.

"I think it's mainly about finding my style on the court, putting my imprint on it, and just letting it come from within.

"I would say that I'm happier, but there's still a long way to go - definitely steps in the right direction. I can't go from zero to 100 straight away."

Raducanu remains undecided about playing in Doha at the Qatar Open - live on Sky Sports- next week where she has been handed a first-round encounter against Camila Osorio and finds herself in the same quarter of the draw as Coco Gauff, Leylah Fernandez and Ekaterina Alexandrova.

'Raducanu needed matches in the bank'

Miles Maclagan, former coach of Laura Robson and Andy Murray, speaking to Sky Sports Tennis:

"It was a combination of issues. It was the perfect start from Sorana Cirstea. She came out full of purpose, full of aggression and it worked for her. There were some moments there when Raducanu could have just worked her way into the match and created a little more stress for Cirstea, but even with the way those first eight games just flashed by, she got it back to 2-2 in the second but that fifth game was significant.

"If Cirstea hadn't been able to pull herself through, things might have changed? It didn't seem fatigue but some sort of physical issue for Raducanu by the end. She wasn't chasing balls but it's a positive week. Anytime you get to a final, you put those back-to-back matches behind you, I just feel that's what Raducanu needs.

"There have been so many injuries, so much chopping and changing of coaches, a little bit of consistency and belief. You need to put those matches in the bank to start to trust your body, to trust your decision-making in tougher circumstances so when the dust settles, there will be positives."

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