Fernandez seeks US Open glory

2021 US Open 

Grand Slam Tennis Tournament 

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

New York City, New York, United States 

10-12 September 2021

Canadian star Leylah Fernandez will be confident of securing a win when she participates in the 2021 US Open women’s singles final.

The 19-year-old player is set to take on fellow teenager Emma Raducanu of Britain in a final on September 11 at 22h00 CAT.

Fernandez defeated the much-fancied Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed, of Belarus in the quarter-finals to reach her first major final on September 10.

“I would say it’s thanks to the New York crowd,” Fernandez said after defeating Sabalenka, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-4. 

“They cheered me on, they never gave up and they pushed me to win. Thank you, New York. This is years and years and years of hard work and blood and tears. 

“This is years of sacrifices. I just wanted to be in the final…I don’t know how I got the last point and how I’m here but I’m so glad.”

Fernandez is currently ranked 73rd in the world by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and she has a career-high ranking of number 66th.

The starlet has been impressive at this year’s US Open having defeated big-name players including defending champion, Naomi Osaka of Japan and former world number one Angelique Kerber of Germany.

Her win over two-time grand slam doubles champion Sabalenka in the quarter-final saw Fernandez become the first player born in 2002 to reach the final of the US Open.

This will be the second meeting between Fernandez and Raducanu in competitive matches.

Raducanu defeated Fernandez 6-2, 6-4 in the second-round match at the 2018 Wimbledon Juniors.

This will be the first all-teenage women’s singles final since 1999 US Open between American icon Serena Williams and Swiss legend Martina Hingis.

2020 US Open men’s singles final

Dominic Thiem defeated Alexander Zverev

2020 US Open women’s singles final 

Naomi Osaka defeated Victoria Azarenka