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

 

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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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US Open: Chinese Brit teenager moves to semi-finals

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Emma Raducanu is one of the teenage stars emerging from the US Open.

Chinese Brit Emma Raducanu couldn't stop smiling after beating Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic, 6-3, 6-4, at the US Open.

Eighteen-year old Raducanu from Great Britain was calm and in control against the 11th seeded Bencic of Switzerland.

Raducanu, whose father is Romanian and mother is Chinese Canadian, graduated from high school last Spring before turning pro. 

Her victory puts in in the semi-finals where she will battle 17 seed Maria Sakkari of Greece today at 5:15 p.m. PDT. (check local listings for exact times.)

With her victory, Raducanu became the youngest player to reach the semi-finals since Maria Sharapova in 2005. Ironically, that designation belonged briefly to a possible future opponent, Leylah Fernandez, who celebrated her 19th birthday Monday.

If Raducanu gets past Sakkari, there is an outside possibility that she would meet the tourney's other surprising teenager and fan favorite, Filipino Canadian Fernandez.

First Fernandez must win against No. 2-ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who might be her toughest opponent yet. She has already beaten No. 3 Naomi Osaka, No. 16 Angelique Kerber and No. 5 Elina Svitolina.

The unlikeliest of tennis matches of the two teens would mark the first time two players of Asian descent play for the US Open title.  Fernandez plays today at 4 p.m. PDT. (Check local listings for exact times.)