Asian teenagers making history as they determine who will be the US Open women's champion

 

SCREEN CAPTURE

Brown people in the house -- Leylah Fernandez's family cheered her victory.

For the first time in the Grand Slam's history, both women finalists at the US Open are of Asian descent.

Emma Fernandez, a Filpino Canadian who just turned 19 on Monday, will meet Emma Raducanu, a Chinese Brit who is two months younger than Fernandez, on Saturday to determine the women's singles champion of the US Open Grand Slam.

The two teenagers are are the most unlikely players to reach the finals. The unseeded upstarts on Thursday crashed the 2021 US Open semifinal party, and sent their more experienced veteran opponents—Aryna Sabalenka and Maria Sakkari, respectively—frustrated in their inability to overpower and intimidate the youthful foes.

USTA / DARREN CARROL

Leylah Fernandez's took three sets to beat her opponent, Aryna Sabalenda

Fernandez beat the heavily favored Sabalenka, the world's No. 2 ranked player, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. In the beginning, the world's No. 2 ranked player appeared to overwhelm the smaller Fernandez with powerful serves and volleys. She led the first set 3-0 before Fernandez settled into her game returning Sabalenka's 117 mph serves and artfully placed shots. 

Having her serves returned seemed to rattle the Swiss player who was not used to having her serves returned. Sabalenka began making uncharacteristic mistakes and double faults who became increasingly frustrated at not being able to put away the teenager who clearly had the support of the Arthur Ashe Stadium faithful.

On her way to the finals, Fernandez went three sets in each of her games against ranked players, three of them in the world's top five.

USTA / DARREN CARROL

Great Britain's Emma Raducanu had an surprisingly easy victory.

Raducanu, though Great Britain's top woman player, had to qualify for the US Open. The teenager, ranked No. 150, still has yet to drop a set all tournament. Since the start of qualifying she has won 18 consecutive sets and she has lost only 27 games in her six main-draw victories. 

Raducanu beat the No. 17 ranked Sakkari, 6-1, 6-4 Thursday evening. Like Fernandez, Raducanu relied on strategic placement of the ball instead of the power game used by her opponent.

Saturday's match will be the first all-teenage final at the Grand Slams since 1999, when 17-year-old Serena Williams took out 18-year-old Martina Hingis, 6-3, 7-6. 

Enroute to the finals, both players drew energy and inspiration from the audience at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It should be an entertaining, raucous match but no matter who emerges as the victor, it will be historic as a player of Asian descent will be crowned the US Open women's champion.

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