US Open 2021: Raducanu creates Grand Slam history to set up Fernandez clash

Bengaluru, September 10: British teenager Emma Raducanu made history by becoming the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final in the Open Era after upstaging Maria Sakkari in the US Open 2021 semifinals.

Raducanu – the lowest-ranked woman to reach a major semi-final since Wimbledon 2018 – stunned 17th seed Sakkari 6-1, 6-4 in New York on Thursday.

The 18-year-old will face fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez, 19, in Saturday's decider at Flushing Meadows after powering past the Greek star, with Raducanu the first Brit to contest a championship match at the US Open since 1968 winner Virginia Wade.

It will be the eighth grand slam final between teenagers in the Open Era and first since the US Open in 1999, when Serena Williams beat Martina Hingis.

Raducanu, who impressed in making this year's Wimbledon fourth round, was the first British woman to reach the semi-final stage of the US Open singles since Jo Durie in 1983 but she was not overawed under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights.

After fending off three break points against Sakkari in the opening game, Raducanu – who had only been broken five times entering the contest – broke for a 2-0 lead.

That set the tone for an incredible first set, which was ultimately decided on second serve as Raducanu blew away her experienced opponent.

Raducanu won 73 per cent of her second serves as she saved seven break points to thwart Sakkari, who only won four of her 13 second serves in comparison.

Sakkari – also looking to reach her first major final – tried to will herself on in the second set, however, the 26-year-old simply had no answers.

Raducanu did not face a break point in the second set as the world number 150 continued her fairytale run in the United States.

Earlier, Fernandez shocked US Open second seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4 to reach her first Grand Slam final.

The Canadian continued her giant-slaying run at Flushing Meadows, where the 19-year-old sensation has stunned defending champion Naomi Osaka, 2016 winner Angelique Kerber, fifth seed Elina Svitolina and Sabalenka en route to the decider.

Fernandez's victory marks the second time in three years that a Canadian teenager has reached the US Open final, with then-19-year-old Bianca Andreescu beating Serena Williams in 2019.

Meanwhile, Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime remains alive in the men's semifinals draw too.

In the last-four tie, he takes on Russia's in-form second-seeded player Daniil Medvedev for a historic place in the Flushing Meadows title clash to held in New York.

Data Slam: Raducanu dazzles again

Raducanu only made her grand slam main draw debut at Wimbledon this year, but she is through to her first major decider. She is the youngest slam finalist since Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004. Raducanu is also only the fourth British woman in the Open Era to appear in a major final.

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS

Raducanu – 16/17 Sakkari – 17/33

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS

Raducanu – 4/2 Sakkari – 4/5

BREAK POINTS WON

Raducanu – 3/11 Sakkari – 0/7

(With OPTA inputs)