US Open Tennis: Filipino Canadian teen advances to quarter-finals

SCREEN CAPTURE / CBC

Leylah Fernandez is surprising tennis fans at the U.S. Open.

Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez might want to change the media's Cinderella comparison to that of Giant Killer as she continues to beat ranked players.

Fernandez, who turns 19 today, followed up her 3rd round upset win over No. 3-ranked Naomi Osaka with a victory over 16-seed Angelique Kerber, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2. The 33-year old Kerber won Wimbledon in 2016 and was formerly ranked No, 1 in the world.

As the score indicates, it wasn't a breeze for Fernandez. The 19-year old Canadian used her accurate serve and a powerful forehand to beat the German player.

After losing the first set, she was behind 4-2 in the second set before she staged her comeback. After that, 

Fernandez doubled over as her victory was confirmed, before she was given a standing ovation by a full crowd on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

"I was just glad I was having fun on the court," Fernandez said.

Born in Montreal, Fernandez was cut from the provincial development program at a young age, with the family moving to Florida to build her and her sister's careers.

Her father Jorge, a former soccer player who turned professional at 13, learned tennis in order to coach his daughter.

"I have been working hard since the day I started playing tennis and the day I set my mind to being a professional," she told the media.

"I expected that one day my tennis game is going to come through and that I'm going to be on the big stage in front of a big crowd and getting the wins."

After beating Osaka and Kerber, she will likely not surprise her next opponent, No. 5 seed Elina Svitolina, whom she will play Tuesday at a time to be determined.

During her press briefing, Kerber praised the teenager. “She has a lot of power in her forehand and, you know, she's going for her winners," said Kerber. "You know, I think she's always also enjoying her tennis out there,” she said.

“Hopefully she can also take all the experience through to the next tournaments and next weeks,” Kerber said. “I think she can go really far in the next few years.”