The expectations were high, as two of the greatest young talents faced each other in the US final. The winner remained in the final without losing a set.
Emma Raducanu is the first British Grand Slam winner in 44 years. The 18-year-old prevailed 6: 4, 6: 3 in the final of the US Open against Leylah Fernandez from Canada, who was two months older, and did not lose a set throughout the tournament. The last British woman to previously win one of the top four trophies in tennis was Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.
At the same time, Raducanu is the first female qualifier to win a major tournament since professional tennis was introduced in 1968. The athlete from London stopped Fernandez’s equally surprising triumph over the past two weeks. On her way to the final in Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber, the Canadian eliminated two previous tournament winners and won three matches against opponents who are among the top five in the world rankings.
Raducanu receives prize money of 2.5 million US dollars (2.1 million euros) for her triumph, Fernandez can be happy about half of it.
Commemoration of 9/11 victims
On Saturday all of New York was dedicated to the memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Before the start of the women’s final, a large USA flag was spread out on the square of Arthur Ashe Stadium, while the two were in the catacombs warmed up young opponents and tried to ignore the pressure before the biggest match of their career so far.
Leylah Fernandez is happy after scoring in the final of the US Open. (Source: Elise Amendola / AP / dpa)
“I just believe in myself. I will go out and enjoy it,” said Raducanu before entering the imposing arena: “It will be a positive experience.” Fernandez, whose father and coach was not in the stadium, but in Florida out of superstition in front of the television, put it similarly.
Both players have known each other since they were young and were born in Canada in 2002 as children of immigrants. And they also showed striking parallels on the hard court in Flushing Meadows. Above all, the ability to completely fade out the surrounding area also stood out in the finale. The level was high right from the start.
Tremendous pressure from the British
At the beginning of the match, Raducanu was determined to go and took the lead 2-0 after the first break, but Fernandez promptly reported back. Both now dueled at eye level until the British, who had already caused a sensation with her place in the round of 16 at Wimbledon, built up enormous pressure in the final phase of the first set and took her chance.
Fernandez paused for a moment, went into the cabin, and then went on fighting tirelessly. She was ahead one break in the second half, but Raducanu proved once again why she deserved the title.
.
