18-year-old Emma Raducanu was the first ever to win a Grand Slam individual title after beating 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez 6: 4, 6: 3 in the women’s singles finals of the US Open on Saturday. Raducanu was also the first British woman to win a Grand Slam title in 44 years.
Emma Raducanu also became the youngest ever Grand Slam winner since Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon in 2004.
US Open 2021: The final between Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez
It didn’t look like two newcomers to the US Open final as there was no lack of quality in the two teenagers.
Emma Raducanu held her composure in big moments and took a breathtaking victory. Nobody had seen it coming as the British teenager entered the US Open as number 150 in the world. She won 3 qualifying games before taking part in her second Grand Slam main draw.
In the end, Raducanu won the US Open singles title without losing a set.
@EmmaRaducanu is the youngest Grand Slam champion since @Maria Sharapova 2004 Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/kFRKuDy9IH
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2021
Raducanu will climb to 24th in the world after her dream trip, which spanned 3 weeks in New York. She will also oust Johanna Konta as the new No. 1 in women’s singles in the UK.
Two teenagers and a gladiatorial match
The result (6-4, 6-3) certainly does not do justice to the quality that was shown in the women’s singles final. Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev are under pressure in the men’s individual final on Sunday to keep up with this classic.
It’s a teenagers dream @leylahfernandez | @EmmaRaducanu pic.twitter.com/QG5QfeKdUK
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2021
Emma Raducanu’s composure in critical moments showed that she will be in these big matches a few more times in the future.
Her mental strength was challenged when she pulled back from Round 4 at Wimbledon, her first Grand Slam appearance, but she responded to her naysayers with style at the US Open. Those flowing backhand and forehand winners were too good for their opponents in New York.
Every time she was pressured, Raducanu showed incredible skills in finding those winners. Raducanu took the 2-0 lead after scoring an early break in the first set, but had timing issues shortly thereafter allowing Leylah to get back into the fight.
However, Raducanu was not affected by the loss of intensity as she managed to stay in the competition before breaking Leylah again in the crucial 10th game.
It was Leylah’s turn to put pressure on Raducanu when the Canadian star broke first in the second set. But Raducanu found a new gear after breaking back. From then on she never looked back.
Dream run for Leylah in New York
Leylah Fernandez’s ability to dig deep brought her to the finals in her first Grand Slam main campaign. She had beaten players like former champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber before displacing number 2 in the world rankings Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals.
At no point, even when she did one set and was 2-5 behind in the second, Fernandez was nervous. With her family’s support in the stands, Leylah had a smile on her face as she did her best to stay in the competition. She saved 2 match points in game 8 of set 2, but Raducanu kept her nerve after taking medical break from a bloody knee to do the job and the script story.
These 3 weeks for Emma Raducanu in New York will have a special place in the history of sport. The stories of Raducanu and Fernandez currently only show the depth of talent in women’s singles.
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