US Open: Emma Raducanu wins first Grand Slam after beat Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in final
18-year-old Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title after she defeated 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez in the women’s singles final at the US Open 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday.
Raducanu also became the first British woman in 44 years to win a Grand Slam title.
Emma Raducanu also became the youngest Grand Slam champion since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004.
It did not look like two first-timers in the US Open final as there was no dearth of quality with the two teenagers going toe-to-toe.
Emma Raducanu held her composure in big moments and pulled off a stunning win. Nobody saw it coming as the British teenager had entered the US Open as World No. 150. She won 3 qualifying matches before entering her 2nd Grand Slam main draw.
In the end, Raducanu won the US Open women’s singles title without dropping a set.
Raducanu will shoot up to World No. 24 after her dream outing that stretched to 3 weeks in New York. She will also displace Johanna Konta as the new No. 1 women’s singles player in Britain.
Two teens and a gladiatorial battle
The scoreline (6-4, 6-3) certainly doesn’t do justice to the quality that was on display in the women’s singles final. Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev are under a bit of pressure to match this classic as they face each other in the men’s singles final on Sunday.
Emma Raducanu’s composure in crunch moments showcased she is going to be in these big matches quite a few times in the future.
Her mental toughness was questioned when she retired from the 4th round at Wimbledon, her maiden Grand Slam appearance but she answered her naysayers in style at the US Open. Those flowing winners from both the backhand and forehand was too good for her opponents in New York.
Every time, she was put under pressure, Raducanu showed incredible ability to find those winners. Raducanu went 2-0 up after sealing an early break in the first set but she was struggling with timing soon after, allowing Leylah to claw back into the contest.
However, Raducanu did not let the dip in intensity affect her as she managed to stay in the contest before breaking Leylah again in the decisive 10th game.
It was Leylah’s turn to put pressure on Raducanu as the Canadian star broke first in the 2nd set. But Raducanu found a new gear after breaking back. She never looked back from thereon.
Dream run for Leylah in New York
Leylah Fernandez’s ability to dig deep rallied her to the final in her first Grand Slam main draw appearance. She had beaten the likes of former champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber before ousting World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-final.
At no point, even when she was trailing a set and 2-5 down in the second set, was Fernandez flustered. With support from her family at the stands, Leylah was sporting a smile on her face as she did her best to stay in the contest. She saved 2 match points in the 8th game of the 2nd set but Raducanu held her nerves after taking a medical timeout for a bloodied knee to get the job done and script history.
These 3 weeks of Emma Raducanu in New York is going to have a special place in the history of the sport. The stories of Raducanu and Fernandez only shows the depth in talent in the women’s singles field at the moment.
