18-year-old Emma Raducanu makes history at US Open

After going down an early break in the second set, Emma Raducanu reeled off ten straight matches without losing a set to complete perhaps the most improbable major title win in history. She was ranked 150th globally and her opponent Leylah Fernandez who turned 19 in June was ranked 73rd but the 18-year-old Brit did the undreamable to beat Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 to win the U.S Open.

Though both teenagers were almost evenly matched in all statistics, it was already the longest match Raducanu has played in her methodical march through the qualifying; none of the previous matches extended past an hour and 25 minutes.

Fernandez came into the march after winning four straight three-set matches and beating defending champion and No. 3 Naomi Osaka, No. 5 Elina Svitolina and No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in addition to three-time major champion Angelique Kerber — en route to the final. 

Raducanu broke back to level the second set at 2-2 with a pair of sharply angled backhand winners. The first, which earned her a breakpoint, seemed to be a slight mishit and dropped softly inside the line to her apparent surprise. The second, on a breakpoint, was a far more assuredly struck return winner, capitalizing on a poorly placed second serve from Fernandez. Raducanu consolidated the break, holding for 3-2 in the second.

Their combined ranking of 223 is vastly contrasting to the combined ranking of the men’s finalists, No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 2 Daniil Medvedev – 3.

Emma Raducanu in winning the title becomes the first qualifier to win a Grand Slam title. She will take home $2.5 million while Leylah Fernandez will take $1.25 million after their 1 hour 51 minutes show at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New york.

By: Elisha Aberiganya | Follow us on Twitter @activtvgh

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