Excellent day for Canadians in New York

NEW YORK: When Leylah Fernandez wins a pivotal point at the US Open — and she has won enough of them to become the tournament’s youngest semifinalist since Maria Sharapova in 2005 — the teenager raises her right fist or windmills her arms, firing up herself and the crowd.

She then turns around to face the wall behind the baseline for a few moments, gathers herself and repeats whatever that day’s mantra of choice is.

During her 63, 36, 76 (75) quarterfinal victory over fifthseeded seed Elina Svitolina at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which followed wins over past US Open champions and former No 1s Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber, Fernandez focused on selfbelief.

‘‘I was only thinking of trusting myself, trusting my game. After every point, win or lose, I would always tell myself, ‘Trust my game. Go for my shots. Just see where the ball goes’,’’ said Fernandez, who turned 19 a day earlier and had never been past the third round in her previous halfdozen major appearances.

It is working and the New York crowds are adopting the neighbour from Canada as one of their own — although the 73rdranked Fernandez actually is based in Florida after being born in Montreal to a Filipino Canadian mother and an Ecuadorian father.

Fernandez’s father is also her coach but is not in New York; he stayed home for what Fernandez called ‘‘personal reasons’’ and is offering tips in daily phone conversations.

‘‘He honestly told me that I put him through hell and back with this match.’’

Next on this magical ride for

Fernandez is world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka, who swept aside French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova 61, 64.

Fernandez’s countryman, Felix AugerAliassime, moved into the men’s semifinals yesterday when Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz retired due to an abductor injury while trailing 63, 31.

The 18yearold Spaniard showed no signs of distress as AugerAliassime took the opening set but after the Canadian broke to open the second Alcaraz slumped.

During the first changeover of the second set, Alcaraz called for the physiotherapist but did not receive any treatment. A game later, however, the Spaniard turned and indicated he could not go on.

AugerAliassime becomes the first Canadian man to reach the US Open semifinals, where he will take on second seeded Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, who beat qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp, of The Netherlands, 63, 60, 46, 75. — AP/Reuters