British 18-year-old qualifier, Emma Raducanu and Canadian 19-year-old, Leylah Fernandez completed astonishing runs to their historic first Grand Slam final on Thursday at the US Open.
Raducanu became the first qualifier to ever reach a Grand Slam final, and the youngest Slam finalist in 17 years, by ousting Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 in just 84 minutes on Friday morning, reaching a Grand Slam final since Virginia Wade reached the Wimbledon final in 1977.
With her win, Raducanu secured a place in her first major final and a cheque for a minimum of $1.25million (£900,000, N661,500,000).
Raducanu said on court after her victory;
Honestly the time here in New York has gone so fast. I’ve just been taking care of each day and three weeks later I’m in final. I can’t actually believe it. Today I wasn’t thinking about anyone else except for myself. While I have the moment I want to thank my team and the LTA and everyone at home for all their support.
She added;
Since I’ve been here from the first round of the quallies I’ve had unbelievable support.’ As for her chances in the final? ‘Is there any expectation? I’m a qualifier so technically there’s no pressure on me.
Pure happiness under the lights in New York
pic.twitter.com/j5721WEEaL
— Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) September 10, 2021
And in a brilliant twist of fate, she will face fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez in the final on Saturday, who has been causing shocks of her own in New York.
Fernandez, a 73rd-ranked left-hander, beat second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4, for her third Open win over a top-five rival, a feat not seen at a Slam since Serena Williams at Wimbledon in 2012.
It will be the first time since the 1999 US Open that a Grand Slam final will be contested between two teenagers and only the eighth time in the Open Era. Then, 17-year-old Serena Williams beat an 18-year-old Martina Hingis.
At 9pm on Saturday, Raducanu will have the opportunity to claim one of the most prestigious titles in tennis.
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