Emma Raducanu makes US Open history, beats Leylah Fernandez in final

Sep 11, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Emma Raducanu of Great Britain reacts after winning a point against Leylah Fernandez of Canada (not pictured) in the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier to win the US Open when she rolled to a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in Saturday’s championship match at New York.

Raducanu, an 18-year-old from Great Britain, recorded 22 winners against 25 unforced errors while winning the final in one hour, 51 minutes.

Raducanu concluded a run of 10 victories — including three qualifying wins — with a scintillating ace to Fernandez’s left. She entered the U.S. Open ranked 150th in the world.

Saturday’s final was the first all-teen US Open championship match since 1999, when Serena Williams (then 17 years old) defeated Martina Hingis (18).

Fernandez, who turned 19 on Monday, had 18 winners and 26 unforced errors. She is ranked 73rd in the world.

Raducanu had a 5-2 lead in the second set but Fernandez saved two match points to remain alive.

In the ensuing game, Fernandez hit a winner that a skidding Raducanu was unable to reach to set up a break point.

Raducanu cut her knee and a medical timeout was used to attend to her and stop the bleeding and dress the wound. When play resumed more than five minutes later, Raducanu staved off the break point.

A short time later, she finished off the victory with her third ace of the match.

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