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US Open women’s semi-finals preview: A pair of unseeded teenagers will take the stage in the US Open women’s semi-finals: 18-year-old Emma Raducanu of Britain and 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez of Canada. The 73rd-ranked Fernandez takes on No 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the first semi-final on Thursday night. She is trying to duplicate the feat of countrywoman Bianca Andreescu, who won the US Open in 2019 when she was 19. Sabalenka is in her second straight major semi-final and trying to reach her first Grand Slam final. Play in that match is scheduled to begin at 7 PM on Arthur Ashe Stadium. That will be followed by the 150th-ranked Raducanu against No 17 seed Maria Sakkari of Greece. Raducanu is the first female qualifier to get to the final four at the US Open in the professional era, which began in 1968. Sakkari also made her first Slam semifinal this year at the French Open. To go further she’ll have to beat Raducanu who hasn’t dropped a set yet in Flushing Meadows. None of the four women remaining in the tournament ever has played in a Grand Slam final.
US Open women's semi-final Highlights: Emma Raducanu beats Maria Sakkari to set up Leylah Fernandez clash
US Open: Follow live score and updates from the women’s semi-finals at Flushing Meadows in New York.
 "US Open women's semi-final Highlights: Emma Raducanu beats Maria Sakkari to set up Leylah Fernandez clash")
End of day’s play
So we have the women’s final set in Emma Raducanu vs Leylah Fernandez. Who will make the men’s final? Novak Djokovic takes on Alexander Zverev in the second semi-final with the first featuring Daniil Medvedev and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Join us then. Goodbye!
How do you even explain the last two weeks?
#USOpen
— Tanuj Lakhina (@tanujlakhina) September 10, 2021
First all-teen Grand Slam/US Open final since 1999.
First time, men or women, a qualifier is into a Grand Slam final.
Raducanu and Fernandez combined ages are lesser than Serena's.
First men's or women's major final featuring unseeded players since the Open Era
What a moment!
Unbelievable 🤩🤩🤩 you absolute star @EmmaRaducanu https://t.co/GnKXrTp2WW
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) September 10, 2021
Second set in numbers
Emma Raducanu in courtside interview: “Honestly the time in New York has gone so fast. I have been taking it each day and just focusing on each match.”
“Tim (Henman) has been a huge inspiration. Teaching me, telling me to take it one point at a time. Grateful to him for doing what he’s done for British tennis and for me.”
“Honestly today I was thinking about just myself, no one else. I want to thank my team, LTA and everyone’s help and support. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
“Since I have been here in New York, I’ve had great support. I’ve felt right at home. Today playing under the lights, at Arthur Ashe Stadium, I was just excited to be playing. Thank you for coming!”
“Technically, on pressure, there’s no expectation from me. I am just a qualifier!”
Emma Raducanu is into the US Open final
Emma Raducanu becomes the first qualifier to move into the final of a Grand Slam. She has come through three rounds of qualifying and six matches in the main draw to move into the US Open final. She beats Maria Sakkari 6-1, 6-4. What a moment!
Raducanu 6-1, 6-4 Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Raducanu serving for the match and a place in the US Open final. Starts off with an error. On the second, she lets out a huge roar of ‘c’mon’ as Sakkari’s forehand finds the net. 15-15, Raducanu finds the angled serve and then goes down the line on the forehand for a winner. Bold shot making from Raducanu but not for the first time. Another strong set of strokes and Sakkari’s backhand doesn’t make it. Two match points. WINS IT! Great backhand into the open court and then a forehand winner to get the win.
Raducanu* 6-1, 5-4 Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Sakkari with some pressure on her serve now. 40-15 becomes 40-30 with a spanking of a forehand return from Emma. On game point, Sakkari with a big serve and moves up for a swift forehand winner. So, Emma Raducanu will serve for the match!
Raducanu 6-1, 5-3 *Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Bit of a nervous hold in the end for Emma Raducanu. She was 40-0 and cruising along, ready for another love hold after truckload of chances going to waste in the previous game. Sakkari brought it back to 40-30 with some big shots of her own. But unable to prolong the game. Raducanu a game away from a maiden Slam final appearance
History on the line
If Emma Raducanu wins this match, it will be the first all-teen Grand Slam final since the #USOpen final in 1999, where Serena Williams (17) beat Martina Hingis (18)!#USOpen LIVE: https://t.co/6lT1Ah8BoR pic.twitter.com/CntkbufShK
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 10, 2021
Raducanu* 6-1, 4-3 Sakkari (* denotes next server)
A poor game from Sakkari and Raducanu has three break points. One saved with stellar defence from Sakkari. Not exuding confidence is Sakkari but she’s fighting. An ace out wide saves another break point. WHAT A SAVE ON THE THIRD! Extraordinary point. Raducanu does the running around the court. Sakkari with tough balls to hit given the circumstances – including a lucky smash that landed in despite not the best of contacts. Another chance to break now as Sakkari misses. This time Sakkari’s backhand down the line produces a defensive reply which is smacked for a drive volley winner. Four break points saved in this game. Raducanu creates another chance now. Fifth of the game. Another goes begging. Sakkari with neat hands at the net for a winner. Sakkari finally holds serve and it took five break points along the way
Raducanu 6-1, 4-2 *Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Emma Raducanu puts the possible annoyance of previous game aside and holds at love. You’d think a player would be upset after squandering two break points. But not Raducanu who goes about with business as usual
Raducanu* 6-1, 3-2 Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Maria Sakkari under pressure and playing shots in desperation more than anything. Goes for a drop shot out of nowhere, completely uncomfortable with that shot, and it lands wide. Two break points for Raducanu. Both saved with the second being helped along by the let chord. On deuce, Sakkari finds an ace. On game point, Raducanu smacks the backhand into the net. Sakkari with a clenched fist and she needs all the energy she can muster to stage a comeback
Raducanu 6-1, 3-1 *Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Raducanu with a backhand down the line, produces a defensive shot and rocks forward for a winner on the forehand. At 30-15, Sakkari looks to move up and change things up, except the approach isn’t great and allows for a backhand winner. On game point, Raducanu consolidates the break with an ace.
Raducanu* 6-1, 2-1 Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Holds to start the second set. After a rare miss, Raducanu pounces on a second serve for a backhand cross court winner. Little one can do on a 83mph second serve. Sakkari goes for too much and the groundstroke is long. Two break points. And just the one does it. A miscue from Sakkari and Raducanu has the break in the second set.
The differences: Emma Raducanu winning 73% of her second serve points against Maria Sakkari. The Greek is 0 for 7 on break points
17 consecutive sets!!!! pic.twitter.com/vEXOB41SVC
— Lorena Popa 🕵️♀️🎾 (@popalorena) September 10, 2021
Set 1 in numbers
First set: Emma Raducanu 6-1
Surprise scoreline in the second semi-final. A breadstick from Emma Raducanu to Maria Sakkari in 36 minutes. Raducanu was 5-0 up at one time. It is a surprise that the margin is this big considering Sakkari had seven break point opportunities in that first set
Raducanu 6-1 *Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Deep deep serve and Sakkari’s return is into the net. That brings up two set points for Emma Raducanu in 36 minutes. Serve out wide and Sakkari goes for all on it, but it goes long. First set to Emma Raducanu!
Raducanu* 5-1 Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Two shots finding the edge of the line. Raducanu first and then Sakkari with a cross court winner. She’s fired up but frustrated in equal measure as she gestures to her box. A double fault sullies the momentum but still a chance to hold. Sakkari gets on the board as Raducanu’s backhand lands into the tramlines
Raducanu 5-0 *Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Sakkari with her 13th unforced error to make it 15-15 in the fifth game. 5 winners from both players, just that Raducanu has 6 unforced errors. An overhit on the forehand return, a seventh error on that side, brings up two game points. Two game points to make it 5-0! And hold. Raducanu with a poor drop shot and yet she wins the point thanks to quick hands at the net. Sakkari is in serious trouble!
Raducanu* 4-0 Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Exceptional volley from Emma Raducanu to bring the game to deuce. Gets down, racquet head steady and firm to Sakkari off. On deuce, Raducanu sends bullets from both sides of the wing. A deep backhand brings out an error and gets the break point. Raducanu pounces on the serve, right at Sakkari’s shoe laces and she replies in kind with her own ‘yorker’ of a reply. Sakkari with a backhand winner on deuce court to bring up game point. Now a forehand miss brings the game to deuce. Raducanu with a fierce backhand winner. Catches the line and Sakkari can’t believe it. Break point again. And a double fault! BREAK!
Maria Sakkari needs a change
0/7 on break points. Maria Sakkari goes off the court in the changeover to change her skirt. Tells the chair umpire that it is her serve and she should be allowed to go. Races off to the back and changes into a different size. Supposedly the original skirt was too big.
Raducanu 3-0 *Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Emma looks up at the giant screen to verify how long her backhand was. After couple of seconds of wait, it highlights the ball wasn’t close to the line as she would have hoped. It brings up three break points. One saved as Sakkari’s forehand return on the serve, a slow second serve, is into the net. On the second chance, Raducanu with a smart serve out wide and pushes up the court with a drive volley that ekes out an error. One more chance, one more gone. Wild forehand is out, well out. 0/6 on break points. She has a seventh chance now. Raducanu with a backhand going long and another chance to break. Another break point goes away. Serve down the T, slides away and Sakkari’s return is into the net. Another great serve, 90mph, going out wide on the deuce court and the forehand is into the net (again). Hold! Raducanu goes behind Sakkari and the defensive shot doesn’t go over the net. What a start for Emma Raducanu!
Raducanu* 2-0 Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Sakkari with a poor serve this time. A double fault, 99mph second serve, brings up two break points for Emma Raducanu. Sakkari tries to play a slice backhand drop shot but it hits the top of the net. BREAK! Five first serves missed from Sakkari in that game.
Raducanu 1-0 *Sakkari (* denotes next server)
Emma Raducanu to get the match underway. Patchy start from the British teenager to quickly concede two break points. And she quickly shuts the door to bring it to deuce. A backhand lands into the net and Sakkari has another chance. And once again it is not converted. Sakkari with two forehands going well long already. An ace followed by a backhand into the net from Sakkari. Three break points come and go.
Who are you backing?
Coming up next, @mariasakkari takes on @EmmaRaducanu!
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 10, 2021
Sakkari made it to the semi-finals of the French Open a few months ago, while teenager Raducanu burst onto the scene with her run at Wimbledon!
Who's winning this match-up?#USOpen LIVE: https://t.co/6lT1Ah8BoR
Pre-match talk
Emma Raducanu: “Helpful to have so many matches, have been filled with confidence with each match. To play on Ashe [Arthur Ashe stadium], under the lights, I am eager to get out there. I have just been focusing on myself.”
Maria Sakkari: “At least I have a bit of experience playing in a semi-final. I am positive, confident and looking forward to it. I really like to play with the crowd. This is probably the best crowd I’ve played under. It brings out the Greek spirit in me!”
Who are the Original 9?
As we wait for the second semi-final to get underway, a read on the Original 9 . A quick intro: Billie Jean King and eight other women of the “Original 9” signed $1 contracts and broke away from the US tennis establishment to form the Virginia Slims circuit in 1970. It helped launch the WTA Tour, which now offers millions in global prize money.
Ceremony on Arthur Ashe Stadium recognises and celebrates the ‘Original 9’
This is great. pic.twitter.com/kbaURfEuft
— Wilfy (@whitelinefervor) September 10, 2021
Team Canada celebrates Leylah Fernandez
Quelle👏🏽 performance 👏🏽@leylahfernandez 👏🏽 Félicitations pour avoir atteint la FINALE de l'@usopen, on est derrière toi jusqu'au bout ! 🇨🇦
— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) September 10, 2021
What 👏🏽 a 👏🏽 performance 👏🏽 @leylahfernandez 👏🏽
Congratulations on reaching the @usopen FINAL, we’re behind you all the way! 🇨🇦
Maria Sakkari’s run to the semi-finals
RD128: bt Marta Kostyuk (UKR) 6-4, 6-3
RD64: bt Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 6-4, 6-2
RD32: bt Petra Kvitova (CZE x10) 6-4, 6-3
RD16: bt Bianca Andreescu (CAN x6) 6-7 (2/7) 7-6 (8/6), 6-3
QF: bt Karolina Pliskova (CZE x4) 6-4, 6-4
Emma Raducanu’s run to the semi-finals
RD128: bt Stefanie Voegele (SUI) 6-2, 6-3
RD64: bt Zhang Shuai (CHN) 6-2, 6-4
RD32: bt Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) 6-0, 6-1
RD16: bt Shelby Rogers (USA) 6-2, 6-1
QF: bt Belinda Bencic (SUI x11) 6-3, 6-4
Raducanu vs Sakkari
Up next for the second semi-final will be another teenager in Emma Raducanu taking on Maria Sakkari. Yet another first-ever match up. Raducanu is coming through qualifying and hasn’t yet dropped a set
Leylah Fernandez is the youngest Grand Slam finalist since Maria Sharapova at 2004 Wimbledon
Leylah Fernandez is the 4th Canadian male or female to make a major final joining Eugenie Bouchard (2014 Wimbledon), Milos Raonic (2016 Wimbledon) and Bianca Andreescu (won 2019 US Open). pic.twitter.com/6RfAYTfxfo
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 10, 2021
So totally worth it!
It was worth not to sleep and watch it young Leylah make the final of US open @usopen 👏👏👏
— Kafelnikov Yevgeny (@KYevgeni) September 10, 2021
Leylah Fernandez is a beautiful story. And so glad it is not over!
Seeing someone’s dreams come true is so beautiful ...
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) September 10, 2021
Third Set: By the numbers!
Leylah Fernandes speaks after the match: I have no idea how I won that. I would say it’s thanks to the New York crowd. They cheered me on, they never gave up and they pushed me to win. Thank you New York!
This is years and years and years of hard work and blood and tears. This is years of sacrifices. I just wanted to be in the final, and I don’t really know how I got the last point and how I’m here but I’m so glad.
There’s so much that’s happened. I was able to meet Billie Jean King, I met Juan Martin del Potro. Steve Nash is here in my box! I don’t know what’s been the best thing.
I remember when I was younger, my dad used him as an example, and told me I had to work hard like Steve Nash. Hopefully, we can have a tennis match soon.
At this moment, I’m just going to enjoy my victory with my team, and worry about the final tomorrow. I don’t care who I have to play, I just want to play that final!
Game, Set, Match: Leylah Fernandez wins 7-6, 4-6, 6-4
Backhand into the net from Sabalenka, and Fernandez has a point in this game. 0-15. DOUBLE FAULT FROM SABALENKA! 0-30!! Has the pressure gotten to Sabalenka? Yet another first serve missed! ANOTHER DOUBLE FAULT! LEYLAH FERNANDEZ HAS TRIPLE MATCH POINT! This is massive! SABALENKA HITS LONG! Leylah Fernandez is into her first-ever Grand Slam final! This is a dream run from the 19-year-old, she’s taken the tennis world by storm and she’s just knocked out the second seed!
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