Raducanu Redux? Hot Damm! And, Queenwen Returns - Daily Intel
Can Emma Raducanu lift another trophy?
What's with all the Damm winning?
And, the Doha draw drops with Zheng Qinwen in the mix.
Let's get you caught up on all the results, ramblings, and rigamaroll from this week's ATP and WTA events.
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๐จ Raducanu Returns Top seeded Emma Raducanu fights through a near three-hour war with Oleksandra Oliynykova, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, to reach the Transylvania Open final in Cluj. The 23yo Brit plays for her first title since that fairy tale run to the title at the 2021 US Open. She faces #3 seed Sorana Cirstea on Saturday.
๐ฅ Damm, Damm, DAMM!!!! Martin Damm, the 6-foot-8 lefty son of the 2006 US Open doubles champ of the same name, fires over 80 aces on his way to the quarterfinals in Montpellier. The qualifier, who had never defeated a top 100 opponent before this week, clips Luca Nardi, 6-3, 7-6โธ, to extend his best-ever ATP result into the semifinals.
๐ Qinwen is Back! Zheng Qinwen enters the Qatar Open draw after pulling out of the Australian Open with lingering injury issues. The former world #4 has played only two matches since Wimbledon, one of which ended in a 3rd-set retirement. She opens against Sofia Kenin in Doha.
๐ Air Force Agassis? We're getting a special edition Air Jordan 7... inspired by Andre Agassi? The $215 shoe will channel Andre Agassi's hot-pink 1990 Roland Garros outfit and drop during the US Open in a Phantom/Lemon Twist/Pink Blast color palette.
๐ฅ Bejlek on the Brink Sara Bejlek wins seven matches in eight days to reach her first WTA final in Abu Dhabi. The Czech qualifier outlasts #3 seed Clara Tauson, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, in a marathon semifinal featuring a decisive break after seven deuces at 5-all in the 3rd set.
๐ถ No Ruud Surprises While Casper Ruud stays close to home with his wife and new daughter, he won't incur any ranking penalties for missed events. The Norwegian becomes one of the first ATP players to benefit from a new ATP rule waiving late withdrawal penalties for new parents.
๐พ Katka Cuts it Close Ekaterina Alexandrova finds her way past a dialed-in Hailey Baptiste in Abu Dhabi, erasing a match point at 4-5 in the 2nd set to win 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-3, and reach her 13th career final. The win guarantees her a return to the Top 10.

"I haven't been in the final for five years now. It's an amazing achievement. The great work I've done in the past six months is really coming together." - Emma Raducanu after reaching the Transylvania Open final ยน
"I'm out of all emotions because that was a roller coaster." - Sara Bejlek after outlasting Clara Tauson in the Abu Dhabi semifinal ยฒ
"In the second set I really thought, 'This is the end.' I'm super happy I could get past two sets." - Ekaterina Alexandrova after saving match point against Hailey Baptiste ยณ
"After a tough year last year, it's exactly the start I needed." - Katie Boulter after reaching the Ostrava Open final ยฒ
"I did what any noble person would do and I called him a bozo in the press conference." - Andre Agassi on Philippe Chatrier's proposed dress code at 1990 Roland Garros โด

Abu Dhabi (WTA 500) - Final
โ Ekaterina Alexandrova (2) vs. Sara Bejlek (Q)
Montpellier (ATP 250) - Semifinals
โ Adrian Mannarino vs. Martin Damm (Q)
โ Felix Auger-Aliassime (1) vs. Titouan Droguet (Q)
Cluj-Napoca (WTA 250) - Final
โ Emma Raducanu (1) vs. Sorana Cirstea (3)
Ostrava (WTA 250) - Final
โ Katie Boulter vs. Tamara Korpatsch
Mumbai (WTA 125) - Semifinals
โ Lanlana Tararudee (5) vs. Mananchaya Sawangkaew
โ Lilli Tagger (7) vs. Tian Fangran

ยน PA Media. "Emma Raducanu into first final since 2021 US Open at Transylvania Open." The Guardian, 6 Feb 2026. link
ยฒ WTA Tennis. "A closer look at Saturday's three finals, as Raducanu plays for a title again." wtatennis.com, 6 Feb 2026. link
ยณ WTA Tennis. "Alexandrova saves match point to reach Abu Dhabi final; to face first-time finalist Bejlek." wtatennis.com, 6 Feb 2026. link
โด TENNIS.com. "Andre Agassi-inspired Air Jordan 7 'Tennis Day' sneaker to release at US Open." TENNIS.com, 5 Feb 2026. link
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