How was her season
In 2021, at the first edition of the Transylvania Open, Gabriela Ruse was arriving in Cluj as one of the players in great form: she had won her first WTA title, entered Top 100, and was considered among the favorites. One year later, after some confusing months and several health issues that damaged her season, Gabi returns to Cluj hoping to regain her best tennis level.
Even so, when health allowed her she pursued the trend from 2021: her best result this season was reaching the last 16 in Dubai, where she had to play qualifiers and where she defeated Paula Badosa, a Top 10 player.
Playing style
Gabriela is an aggressive player, she has that typical easy power for the players who hit with timing, and she prefers to dictate the point from the baseline; but her tennis is more than that. Gabi knows how to absorb the power balls, she is able to open the court from the first two hits and also displays a special easiness in pushing the opponent into defense.
Big picture
Gabriela’s ascent in recent years has proven that she has what she needs to play at the highest level. What she now lacks is rhythm, the continuity she lost because of injuries. She is back in good health, so Cluj can become one of those big steps toward rebuilding her confidence.
Besides that, this year there is no more pressure upon her to confirm expectations. A calm and steady Gabriela could be a dangerous opponent for anyone at Transylvania Open.
She starts the tournament playing against German Laura Siegemund.
