British teenager, Emma Raducanu has become the first qualifier in the Open era to reach a grand slam final, after defeating Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 in the US Open.
The 18-year-old will face fellow teenager, Leylah Fernandez in the final after the 19-year-old Canadian earlier defeated number two seed, Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4.
“The time in New York has gone so fast, taking care of each day – before you know it, three weeks later I’m in the final – I can’t believe it,” Raducanu said.
As Raducanu reached match point, she looked to British tennis legend Tim Henman in the crowd. “Tim is such a big inspiration for me,” she said.
“He’s been helping me, telling me to take each point at a time at moments like this, you can’t allow yourself to lose focus. I am grateful to Tim for everything he’s done for British tennis and me.”
Earlier, Fernandez stunned Sabalenka in a dramatic semi-final. Asked how she had managed her victory, the 19-year-old replied: “I have no idea!
“I would say it’s the New York crowd — they helped me today, they cheered me on, they never gave up, this is why I’ve won.”
Fernandez’s unlikely tournament has seen her defeat former world number ones, Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber, fifth seed Elina Svitolina, and now Sabalenka.
The story of the match was a mix of winners and unforced errors from the Belarusian second seed that gave her opponent the openings she needed.
