Raducanu stuns the world with her victory

FORMER British number one Tim Henman branded Emma Raducanu’s performance in her US Open semi-final win over Maria Sakkari as “simply stunning”, writes Andy Sims.

Raducanu made history by becoming the first qualifier to reach a grand slam final with a dominant 6-1, 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari.

She is also the first British woman to reach the final at Flushing Meadows since Virginia Wade won the title 53 years ago.

“It’s an absolutely staggering performance,” Henman said. “If we just look at the way she came out and played, her quality of tennis from start to finish, she was so resilient. She never flinched.

“She never let up. It was relentless. And then you’ve got to throw in the scenario of being a qualifier, an 18-year-old, with all the legends who have ever played this game at grand slam level.

“She is the first person to qualify and reach the final. It’s simply stunning.

“She deserves all the credit in the world. On the biggest stage in our sport at every opportunity she plays on her terms. It’s incredible to watch.”

Greg Rusedski, a US Open finalist in 1997, added: “I’m dumbfounded. That performance was worthy of a world number one, a US Open champion, a multiple grand slam champion.”

Virginia Wade, Britain’s last female grand slam winner at Wimbledon in 1977, described Raducanu as the “real thing”.

Wade said: “I can’t tell you how exciting it is. We’ve been waiting such a long time for a British player on the women’s side to really come through.

“Every time you watch her you think she’s going to win every point out there. You don’t even get that nervous. It was remarkable.

“She’s such a super girl, really she ticks every box... I think she’s going to be an icon for British tennis for I don’t know how long.”

Raducanu will meet fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez in the final.