Emma Raducanu has battled her way into her first WTA final since that unforgettable US Open triumph back in 2021.
The 23-year-old British No. 1 overcame Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a gruelling Transylvania Open semi-final that stretched beyond three hours.
It's been a long wait for Raducanu, who was competing in just her fourth semi-final since that remarkable New York victory nearly five years ago.
Tomorrow she'll face either third seed Sorana Cirstea or Daria Snigur for the title in Romania, where she's been in brilliant form all week.
Emma Raducanu battled her way into the Transylvania Open final
|GETTY
Things looked worrying early on when Raducanu called for the trainer during the opening set.
She received treatment on her right shoulder, with medical staff putting her through a series of movements and stretches during the timeout.
Plenty of players might have considered retiring at that point, but not Raducanu.
Instead, the Brit stepped up and served out the first set in absolutely flawless fashion, not conceding a single point.
It was a gutsy response that set the tone for what would become an epic contest against an opponent whose distinctive bat tattoos on her face nodded to Transylvania's vampiric legends.
Emma Raducanu has not reached a WTA final since her US Open triumph in 2021
|GETTY
The second set saw momentum swing wildly between the two players.
Raducanu broke early and looked in control, but Oliynykova's stubborn baseline game and relentless moon-balling proved incredibly tricky to handle.
The Ukrainian clawed her way back to level at 3-3, then won five consecutive games to take the set as frustration crept into Raducanu's game.
The decider was equally nerve-shredding. Raducanu fell behind with an early break but found her rhythm to surge ahead 5-2.
Oliynykova wasn't done though, saving three match points before forcing Raducanu to serve it out under immense pressure, fending off two break points to seal victory.
Speaking after her exhausting victory, Raducanu said: "I mean what an incredible match.
"I think all props to my opponent today. She played incredible. She makes it so tricky to put the ball past her.
Emma Raducanu is into the Transylvania Open final! 🙌
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) February 6, 2026
The British No 1 makes her second career final! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/UKkLRkZqhN
"You think it's past her and the ball is on your baseline or on your sideline, it was so difficult.
"I'm most proud of how I competed, how I came back in the third set and how I managed the match."
This tournament marks Raducanu's first since splitting with coach Francisco Roig, her tenth coaching change.
She's let her racket do the talking in Romania, beating Greet Minnen, Kaja Juven and Maja Chwalinska without dropping a set before today's thriller.