Teenage wonder kids will contest Big Apple finale
THE US Open women’s final will be the scene of a 22-year first in an epic throwback to the sport’s golden era.
Teen sensations Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu each booked their places in the final with thrilling wins on Friday.
Fernandez toppled hot favourite and No.2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4 while Raducanu proved too good for
Greece’s Maria Sakkari, winning 6-1 6-4.
It will be the first time for more than two decades that two teenagers have contested the US Open women’s final.
Flashback to 1999 and it was a 17-year-old Serena Williams taking on an 18-year-old Martina Hingis.
At the time it was their sixth meeting, with Williams winning 6-3 7-6.
The history doesn’t stop there though: Raducanu is the first qualifier in the history of the sport to reach a grand slam final.
Canadian sensation Fernandez couldn’t hide her excitement after securing victory in the first semi-final.
“I don’t know how I got that last point in but I’m glad it was and I’m glad I’m in the finals,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez, a 73rd-ranked left-hander, made Sabalenka her third top-five victim of the Open, having earlier ousted defending champion Naomi Osaka and fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina.
Not since Williams in 2012 at Wimbledon had a player beaten three rivals ranked in the top five at a grand slam.
“I don’t care. I just want to play a final,” Fernandez said.