Emma Raducanu, an 18-year-old from Britain who is ranked 150th, and Leykah Fernandez, a 19-year-old from Canada who is ranked 73rd, will clash in first Grand Slam final between teens since 1999.
British 18-year-old Emma Raducanu has become the first qualifier to ever reach a Grand Slam final by defeating Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 at the US Open.
On Thursday, Raducanu, ranked 150th, became the youngest Grand Slam finalist since 17-year-old Maria Sharapova won at Wimbledon in 2004.
She advanced to Saturday’s US Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium against 19-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez.
It’s the first Slam final between teens since 17-year-old Serena Williams beat 18-year-old Martina Hingis at the 1999 US Open, and just the eighth all-teen Slam final in the Open era (since 1968).
Believe it, @EmmaRaducanu
You’re going to the #USOpen final! pic.twitter.com/x9LsPp6Rog
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2021
Fernandez beats world number 2 Sabalenka
Canadian teen sensation Leylah Fernandez advanced to her first Grand Slam final on Thursday by defeating world number two Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the US Open semi-finals.
The 19-year-old prodigy eliminated Wimbledon semi-finalist Sabalenka 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4 and could capture her first Slam crown on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I don’t know how I got that last point in but I’m glad it was and I’m glad I’m in the finals,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez, a 73rd-ranked left-hander, made Sabalenka her third top-five victim of the Open, having earlier ousted defending champion Naomi Osaka and fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina.
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@leylahfernandez IS A GRAND SLAM FINALIST! pic.twitter.com/hK21AC2M8T
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2021
First Slam final between teens since 1999
Not since Serena Williams in 2012 at Wimbledon had a player beaten three rivals ranked in the top five at a Grand Slam.
When Fernandez meets 150th-ranked Raducanu in the final, it will be the first Slam final between teens since 17-year-old Williams beat 18-year-old Martina Hingis at the 1999 US Open –– and only the eighth all-teen Slam final in the Open era (since 1968).
“I don’t care. I just want to play a final,” Fernandez said. “I’m going to enjoy my victory and worry about it tomorrow,” Fernandez said.
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Source: AFP
Raducanu to face Fernandez in all-teen US Open final
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