Emma Raducanu in the final of the US Open for women against teenager Leylah Fernandez; The 18-year-old becomes the first qualifier in history – man or woman – to reach the Grand Slam final and is the first Briton to reach the final at the 44 slam tournament when Virginia Wade won Wimbledon in 1977.
Last Updated: 10/09/21 05:18
Emma Raducanu has become the youngest Grand Slam finalist since Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004.
Britain’s Emma Raducanu has continued to rewrite history books as she became the first qualifier to ever make it to the Grand Slam finals, entering the US Open finals on Saturday against fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez.
Eighteen-year-old Kent qualifier defeated 17th-seeded Greek Maria Sakkari 6-1 6-4 and set the first final for teens at the US Open since 1999, before 17-year-old Serena Williams was born, beating 18-year-old Martina Hingis .
Raducanu had just reached her A-levels when she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in July, but surpassed all expectations by entering the finals at Flushing Meadows without dropping a set – 18 in a row and falling just 27 games in six matches.
In court, she said: “Honestly, the time here in New York has passed so quickly. I was just worried about every day and three weeks later I’m in the finals. I can’t believe it.
“I haven’t thought about anyone but myself today. While I have a moment, I want to thank my team and the LTA – and everyone in the house for their support.
“Ever since I’ve been here since the first round of qualifying, I’ve had incredible support.”
And her chances in the final? “Are there any expectations? I am a qualifier so technically there is no pressure on me,” she added.
Despite the fact that she caused great anxiety in the last round, which knocked out the current Olympic champion Belinda Benčić, it was expected that the performance against the experienced Sakkari would be her toughest test so far under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium on television in prime time in the United States.
The fast-growing star, who will be set for British no. 1, took advantage of a nervous start from Sakkari to break through the first three games, and one of the toughest hitters on the WTA tour failed to take any of his seven break-point chances.
The first set turned into a nightmare for Sakkari when she made a double mistake to put Raducanu in full command, with the option of placing pastries. But the Greek, who came one point away from the first final of the Slam tournament at the French Open before losing it to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova, held a serve in the sixth game to find herself on the board.
However, Raducanu soon shut him down to be a stunning 17th consecutive set won in New York and get closer to a place in history.
As Sakkari made the mistake of feeling the heat, Raducanu took full advantage by moving the break in the third game of the second set with a flawless shot.
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– US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2021
Sakkari saved five break points during a marathon nine-minute hold in the seventh game, but Raducanu remained collected on the serve to close the win.
And she held an outstanding service for the 47th time during her sensational run from qualifying to placement to Saturday’s final and her incredible march towards sporting immortality.
It’s just one more match away from becoming Britain’s first Flushing Meadows winner since Wade in 1968.
Fabulous Fernandez in the final
Leylah Fernandez stunned second seed Aryna Sabalenka until the final – just days after her 19th birthday
Teenage Fernandez advanced to Saturday’s final after a dramatic three-set victory over Aryn Sabalenko.
Fernandez, who turned 19 on Monday, achieved a stunning 7-6 (3) 4-6 6-4 victory against the 2nd tennis player in the world to follow in the footsteps of her Canadian colleague and 2019 winner Bianca Andreescu, making her way to the women’s singles final. as a teenager.
Fernandez, ranked 73rd in the world, has been wasting who’s who for women’s tennis for these fifteen days.
The left-hander has now defeated two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka, 2016 winner Angelique Kerber, world number 5 Elina Svitolina, and added second seed Sabalenka to her scalp in the placement in her first Grand Slam final.
In court, she said: “I have no idea how I won. I want to thank the New York audience, they helped me today and they never gave up. Thanks to them, I was able to win.
“I just wanted to be in the final and I fought for every point. I don’t know how I got into that last point, but I’m glad it’s like that.”
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