NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine during her Women's Singles quarterfinals match on Day Nine of the 2021 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
On Thursday night, 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez defeated No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the 2021 US Open 7-6, 4-6, 6-4. Throughout the match, Fernandez displayed remarkable mental toughness and fantastic shot selection at crucial moments to overcome the Belarusian’s powerful game. The 5’6” Canadian remained poised and consistent, as opposed to Sabalenka’s wild performance, marked by 52 unforced errors.
Fernandez expressed bewilderment in her postgame interview. “I think one word that really stuck to me is ‘magical’ because not only is my run really good but also the way I’m playing right now,” she said. “I’m just having fun, I’m trying to produce something for the crowd to enjoy. I’m glad that whatever I’m doing on court, the fans are loving it and I’m loving it, too.”
‘Magical’ certainly characterizes Fernandez’s improbable U.S. Open run, as she was ranked outside the top 70 at the start of the tournament. Her victory against Sabalenka comes on the heels of defeats against No. 3 Naomi Osaka, No. 5 Elina Svitolina and three-time Grand Slam champ Angelique Kerber.
She will be facing 18-year-old Emma Raducanu who has been carving her own storybook path. Radacanu was ranked No. 345 at the start of the year and has quickly risen to the top of the world rankings after U.S. Open victories against Stefanie Voegele, Zhang Shuai, Sara Sorribes Tormo, Shelby Rogers and Belinda Bencic, all without dropping a set. Raducanu is now in the finals after beating No. 17 Maria Sakkari.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
The must-watch all-teen U.S. Open final will take place on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Bob Horner, one of the most recognizable names in Atlanta Braves history, died at age…
Kiké Hernández and the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered another injury setback this week when the…
Naomi Osaka had spectators on their feet after making a dramatic entrance for her French…
The Cleveland Cavaliers were swept in the Eastern Conference finals by the New York Knicks,…
Lionel Messi being substituted during an Inter Miami CF match due to muscle fatigue has…
Freddie Freeman may be entering the final years of his Hall of Fame baseball career,…