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List of Records That Beefs up Expectations for US Open Final Between Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez
Any enthusiast who witnessed live tennis action at the US Open over the past couple of weeks would definitely rate women’s draw matches to be at a higher level than the men’s side. Continuing its unpredictable nature, the WTA tour introduced two tennis prodigies at New York – Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu.
Ahead of an enthralling final matchup on Saturday, both Leylah and Emma played against each other in the second round of Wimbledon’s Girls event in 2018. Since then, they had different journeys altogether.
Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernadez have produced exceptional performances at the US Open so far
While Fernandez stuck to tennis and got qualified to play at several majors over the past three years, Raducanu’s foray into WTA tour began this year when she secured a wild card at Nottingham Open ahead of Wimbledon.
Despite her limited experience, Raducanu gained attention of tennis fans when she reached the fourth round at SW19 after defeating the likes of Marketa Vondrousova and Sorana Cirstea.
Even at the on-going US Open, the British player didn’t expect to have a long run initially as she had to play three qualifier matches to earn the main-draw entry. Well, six matches later, Raducanu will be playing the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday.
Coming to Leylah Fernandez, the Canadian’s route to the final involved tougher challenges in comparison to Emma Raducanu. She had to defeat two grand slam champions(Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber) and overpower a couple of consistent performers on the WTA tour recently (Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka).
Sep 9, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Leylah Fernandez of Canada serves against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus (not pictured) on day eleven of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Watch this story: Serena Williams, Pete Sampras, and Other Teenage Stars who reached the finals of the US Open
Against Raducanu in the final, Leylah Fernandez will enter the contest with a slight advantage of solving adversities better on-court over the past couple of weeks.
Now, ahead of the championship match, let’s take a look at the list of records created by both these talented teenagers.
First All-Teen Final since Serena Williams and Martina Hingis US Open Championship Match 1999
Having a Serena connection in the graph of an upcoming player is always a blessing. The championship match between Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez will be the first all-teen final since a 17-year old Serena Williams defeated an 18-year old Martina Hingis at the same stadium, 6-3,7-6.
Serena Williams of the United States returns the ball during her Women’s Singles quarterfinal match against Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria on Day Ten of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
It was the first major title for the legendary American as it became a stepping stone to many more memorable grand slam victories. This is a good enough reason for tennis fans to be excited about the US Open final on Saturday.
Emma Raducanu becomes the first-ever qualifier to reach a slam final
No qualifier in the open era(male or female) has reached a major final. Emma Raducanu achieved this incredible feat in New York this fortnight and she did it without losing a set against any of her opponents.
Sep 6, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Emma Raducanu of the United Kingdom hits to Shelby Rogers of the USA on day eight of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Irrespective of the final result, it’s an accomplishment to be proud of for the British sensation. Along with this, Raducanu will become the number one British player from Monday onwards.
Leylah Fernandez is the fourth Canadian to reach a grand slam final
Over the past few years, Canadian players have been making their mark on the tennis world with the rise of youngsters like Bianca Andreescu, Denis Shapovalov, and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
While Shapovalov and Felix are yet to reach a major final, Andreescu won the US Open in 2019 after a dominant victory over Serena Williams.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK: Bianca Andreescu of Canada reacts as she is interviewed by ESPN Reporter Tom Rinaldi during the trophy presentation ceremony after winning the Women’s Singles final against Serena Williams of the United States on day thirteen of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Before Andreescu, Eugenie Bouchard was the only Canadian woman to ever reach a grand slam final. Bouchard achieved this rare feat when she outclassed Simona Halep in the semi-finals of Wimbledon 2014.
A couple of years later, it was Milos Raonic’s time to lead the way for Canadian men to dream big in tennis when he defeated Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
Now, Leylah Fernandez is the fourth Canadian to reach the last step at a major event and might just be the favorite to win the US Open title.
Raducanu could become the first British female major champion since Virginia Wade
Great Britain produced a grand slam champion in Virginia Wade when she won the Wimbledon Championships in 1977, after defeating Dutch player Betty Stove, 4-6,6-3,6-1.
After more than four decades, history awaits Emma Raducanu when she goes head-to-head against Leylah Fernandez in championship match on Saturday. So far, the British youngster displayed intense courage and was never reluctant to go for her shots.
Sep 9, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Emma Raducanu of Great Britain hits a backhand against Maria Sakkari of Greece (not pictured) on day eleven of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
It’s this bravery on-court that might help Raducanu clinch her first-ever major title. But, Fernandez is no easy opponent as she can put incredible pressure on the Brit by hitting the balls early from the baseline.
The first meeting between two tennis prodigies at Arthur Ashe Stadium might have the potential to become one of the best matches of the year so far.
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