Emma Raducanu made history by becoming the first ever qualifier to reach the women’s singles final at a Grand Slam. The British teen defeated 17th seeded Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-1, 6-4 in the semi-finals at the US Open on Thursday (local time) to also become the youngest Grand Slam finalist in 17 years. A 17-year-old Maria Sharapova had won the Wimbledon title in 2004. Raducanu, who is ranked 150th in the world, will take on another teen Leylah Fernandez, 19, of Canada in the women’s singles US Open final.
First time in over two decades, two teens will battle it for the top honours in a Grand Slam final. At the 1999 US open, a 17-year-old Serena Williams took on and beat Martina Hingis, 18.
This is just the eighth instance that an all-teen Grand Slam final will be witnessed in the Open era (since 1968).
“I’m in the final and I can’t actually believe it,” Raducanu said.
“Is there any expectation?” Raducanu said. “I’m a qualifier so technically on paper there’s no pressure on me.”
Raducanu will be up against Leylah Fernandez, who beat second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-4 to reach the final.
“Now I can say I’ve done a pretty good job of achieving my dreams,” Fernandez said
