Simona Halep is an absolute icon in Romania, but it seems that she will have to share her special status in her country with rising star and US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
Even if Emma is from the UK, she has a very strong connection with Romania since her father was born in Bucharest. Raducanu also admitted that she loves spending time in Romania with her paternal grandmother.
The words number 23 agreed to play the tournament in Cluj-Napoca, located in Transylvania. Emma was welcomed like a true star and even Simona Halep was stunned about her reception.
During a recent interview with the Romanian media, Simona commented: “The people here are proud of what she has done. They have adopted her, let’s say.”
Emma Raducanu is seeded number 3 in Cluj-Napoca. She will face Polona Hercog in her first round. If a man reaches the semi-finals, she may face Simona Halep.
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Simona Halep in 2021
Currently ranked no.18, the Romanian played her last match on the 22nd of October when she lost to world no.7 Maria Sakkari 6-4 6-4 in the quarter in Moscow (draw).
Until now, during this year Simona has achieved an overall 18-9 win-loss record. Simona Halep’s most significant accomplishment of the present year was reaching the semifinal in Stuttgart.
Emma Raducanu in 2021
Now the world no.23, Raducanu played her last match on the 8th of October when she lost to world no.86 Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-4 in the 2nd round in Indian Wells (draw).
This year Emma has an overall 23-7 match record. Raducanu has won 1 title at the U.S. Open. The Brit was the runner-up in Chicago.
Simona Halep and Emma Raducanu have never fought against each other.
