EMMA RADUCANU breezed into the Transylvania Open quarter-finals with a straight sets win over local hero Ana Bogdan.
The Brit ace, 18, stormed to a 6-4 6-3 win in her father’s homeland having won her first WTA match just two days earlier at the expense of Polona Hercog.
Raducanu is looking to bounce back from her shock first-round exit at Indian Wells following her sensational US Open win.
The British No1 will now play Ukrainian No6 seed Marta Kostyuk in the quarter-finals after the latter beat Mona Barthel 6-4 6-4.
After her win, Raducanu said: “It was so good to play a Romanian.
“I loved having the crowd here, maybe not the fans but the volunteers in the stands who make this tournament possible.
“I appreciate all your hard work. Ana was a great opponent.
“It’s taking me some time to find my feet. I am taking learnings from every match. I am not the finished product yet.
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“I am taking the experience and loving my time in this tournament so far.”
Should Raducanu beat Kostyuk on Friday evening, she could be in line to face her hero Simona Halep in Saturday’s semi-final.
Ahead of the Transylvania Open, 2019 Wimbledon champion Halep waxed lyrical about the Brit youngster.
Halep said: “What Emma achieved is unbelievable and it’s all credit to her because she played so well in New York and played so many matches.
“Her mentality was very strong and also the game. She showed great tennis, was very fast, played close to the baseline and the movement also was great.
“She has achieved already a Grand Slam title and is able to achieve everything.
“She has now the experience of winning the biggest tournaments in tennis.
“Easily she can go into the top 10 sooner than everybody thinks because already she is close to that.
“She has a bright future and for sure, she will be one of the best players in the world.
“Even if she is so young, she feels the pressure. It’s normal, everybody does.
“She is super nice. She did something great and probably, it’s just my opinion, she will need some time to see how it is every week to be there.
“Then she will become stronger, much stronger.”
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