EMMA RADUCANU, in just her second Grand Slam at the tender age of 18, is US Open champion.
Yes, you did read that correctly.
Anyone predicting such an unlikely triumph at the start of what’s been a remarkable tournament would have been whisked away by the men in white coats in an instant.
But one of the most astonishing displays from a Brit in any sport was complete when the equally impressive Leylah Fernandez was dispatched 6-4, 6-3.
It has been 44 long years since one of our own girls – Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977 – lifted a major and how proud the former SW19 champ was looking down on the new golden girl creating a piece of stunning tennis history.
Raducanu not only became the first qualifier ever to scoop a slam, she did it without dropping a set. That’s not been done at the US Open since Serena Williams did it in 2014.
We are simply running out of superlatives to describe this incredible kid from Kent who has become just the fourth British woman ever to win one of the biggest titles in the world.
Our new No1, who was ranked world No338 before this summer’s Wimbledon, now has the sporting world at her feet. She is now closing in on the top 20.
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After Saturday night, Raducanu will become the name on everyone’s lips – and she deserves every single plaudit following this quite amazing glory charge in the Big Apple.
When Raducanu was forced to play in the street with her dad during lockdown, not in her wildest dreams did she imagine walking out at the biggest tennis stadium on earth just a few months later vying for one of the four majors.
Before the dramatic run to the fourth round Wimbledon she was virtually unknown, a girl waiting for her A-level results and contemplating which career path to take.
Her pals were all looking forward to freshers’ week at university.
But the first British woman to reach the US Open final in 53 years is now on course to become one of the most marketable athletes in sport.
The statistics surrounding her remarkable route to the final are quite something.
She is now the first woman to lift a title in just her second Grand Slam appearance.
Raducanu began the first final between two unseeded players having not dropped a set in NINE games – three in qualifying, six in the main draw – which ensured her time on court was five hours less than Fernandez.
The exuberance of youth means the extra minutes in the Canadian’s legs shouldn’t matter too much but Raducanu was fresh and ready for her moment of destiny.
This talented pair last met at Wimbledon in the juniors, a match which was won by the Brit yet… boy oh boy, this was just a bit different.
On the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack which ravaged this city, the atmosphere was crackling with emotion.
It was the first time two unseeded players have faced one another in a major final.
Fernandez’s run has been equally impressive – she has dumped out three of the world’s top five players – defending champion Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka.
What a run from the 19 year-old. In comparison, Belinda Bencic, the world No12, was the highest seed sunk by the magic racket of Raducanu.
The new British No1 has made shaky starts in most of her games so far but she was on the money from the off, that now trademark powerful backhand firing early.
Instead it was the world No73 who looked in what was a lengthy opening service game. Five break points came and went but when the Canadian netted, the Brit steamed 2-0 up.
Just what the doctor ordered. What wasn’t on the menu, however, was Raducanu being broken back straight away.
Fernandez pulled level for 2-2 and started really going for her shots.
This was a brutal, exhausting battle with neither player giving an inch. The quality on show from both teenagers was off the scale.
It was so close, Fernandez saving three set points at 4-5 but when she crashed a sizzling forehand down the line, the first set was in the bag.
Now the pressure was firmly on the young shoulders of the diminutive Fernandez. She’s one hell of a fighter, though.
A brave hold which saw her fend off break points kept the world No73 alive and then it was Raducanu’s turn to hold after initially falling 0-40 down. She couldn’t keep the left-handed Canadian down though and the break duly arrived.
The 23,000 packed in here roared their approval. In a flash though, that searing Raducanu backhand was powered crosscourt and we back level at 2-2 and a great serve at 40-30 in the next consolidated the break.
The Brit’s return of serve is a massive weapon and when she jumped all over Fernandez in the next game, she broke again and moved 4-2 up.
Now Fernandez was serving to stay in the match but she was out of juice. Raducanu had drained her of energy and resolve.
The Brit ace is a marvel and when the first match point arrived she fired a backhand long. Another one came and went as Fernandez rediscovered some fight but now was the chance to serve for the title.
Could she do it? Well, cue drama.
Sliding for the ball, she fell and cut her left knee. Blood was rolling down her leg so out came the medic with Raducanu 30-40 down and then the roars backing Fernandez. ‘Let’s go Leylah’ screamed the crowd.
The Brit was patched up and soon enough another chance for sporting immortality arrived.
It was sealed with an ace. Of course it was. Is there anything this remarkable girl can’t do? A superstar is born.
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