Blow for Emma: no coach and no fans

EMMA RADACANU received a warm welcome yesterday when she walked out on court for the first time in the land of her father’s birth.

Yet she did so again without a coach, as the man with whom she has been having trial sessions — Spaniard Esteban Carril — has not made the journey to the Transylvanian Open.

The US Open champion worked with Jo Konta’s former mentor in London last week but he still has pre-existing commitments via the Lawn Tennis Association with GB player Katie Swan and was unable to extricate himself.

The trial work is likely to resume next month but Radacanu does have with her this time physio Will Herbert, agent Chris Helliar and Bucharest-born father Ian. She was last night drawn against world No123 Polona Hercog of Slovenia and could face Simona Halep, Romania’s biggest sports star, in the semi-finals.

But the tournament has received a blow. Romania is suffering from spiralling Covid cases and the government has banned crowds from sports events.

The Open had already undertaken to cut crowds to 25 per cent of its 9000 capacity. ‘Cultural events’ are being permitted reduced crowds.

Tournament director Patrick Ciorcila said: ‘We are still pushing them to reconsider and allow in people who have been vaccinated and we have written a letter to the Prime Minister.’