NEW YORK – Leylah Fernandez’s first Grand Slam semifinal at the U.S. Open, just days after she turned 19, kicked off.
The Canadian came out of the hole to go to the front, but her rival Aryna Sabalenka took the game to the limit, in an electrifying pull and loosen in the third set. Fernandez did not flinch.
Why do it at this point? The aplomb of the Ecuadorian-born tennis player seems infinite, as does her potential. And there is no opponent, regardless of his record or ranking, that is impossible for him to double.
Fast-legged and growing — in the decisive moments, Fernandez defeated Belarusian Sabalenka 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4 – the second seed – on Thursday night at the Arthur Ashe Stadium and now he will go for a Grand Slam title.
His opponent will be another teenager.
Britain’s Emma Raducanu, 18 and ranked No. 150 in the rankings, later prevailed over Greek Maria Sakkari (17 preclassified), 6-1, 6-4.
Number 73 on the roster, Fernandez chained his fourth straight victory in three sets against a preclassified rival. He first noticed Naomi Osaka (3rd), the tournament champion in 2018 and 2020. Then he overtook Angelique Kerber (16), the 2016 monarch. Then he left Elina Svitolina (5th) on the road and now to Sabalenka.
“It’s years and years of hard work, tears and blood,” Fernandez said, referring to the secret to taking off her career. “Sacrifices need to be made on and off the track.”
Now, she could just give Canada her second US Open title in the women’s branch. The first came recently in 2019, with Bianca Andreescu.
Jordi, Fernández’s father, is also her coach, although he is not with her in New York, but gives her advice during her daily phone conversations. The mother is Canadian with Filipino roots, and the family currently resides in Florida.
It will of course be an unprecedented finale. In fact, none of the four semifinalists had ever played a scepter duel in Grand Slam tournaments.
The last time two teens competed in a senior final was at the 1999 U.S. Open. At the time, 17-year-old Serena Williams defeated 18-year-old Martina Hingis.
Raducanu is the first tennis player in the professional era to reach a Grand Slam final after playing in the qualifying round. Barely in his second major, he won the 18 sets he played in three qualifying duels.
He then won six duels in the main draw.
“Time has moved very fast here in New York. I’ve just focused on one day at a time,” Raducanu said. “And without realizing it, I’m in the final. I can’t believe it.”
No one can.
Fernandez, who turned 19 just finished Monday, won a swing semifinal, in which the audience continued to cheer him on with cheers and applause.
“I’m glad that no matter what I’m doing on the track, people love it. And me too,” Fernandez said. “Let’s just say it’s been a magical thing.”
At the end of the first set and again in the third, it was Sabalenka who allowed him to escape control of the match. In the last game, he committed two double fouls in a row, to yield a match point. Then his right shot went very long.
“That’s what we know as pressure,” he acknowledged.
On Saturday, Fernandez and Raducanu will clash for the first time in a match at the WTA tour level. His most recent duel dates back to the Wimbledon youth category in 2018.
Raducanu won that second round match. Just over three years later, he will see Fernández again, with much more at stake.