NEW YORK, United States | “A surprise, a shock, madness”: the Briton Emma Raducanu, at 18 years old the first player from the qualifications to reach the final of a Grand Slam, could not believe her feat on Thursday at the US Open.
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“Honestly, I can’t believe it,” assured the 150th World after sweeping Greece’s Maria Sakkari (17th) 6-1, 6-4 in the semi-final on Arhtur Ashe court.
She will face the Canadian Leylah Fernandez (78th) on Saturday, who has just turned 19 and has also caused a sensation during this fortnight, by eliminating three players from the World Top 5, in particular the defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round, while the Japanese was at one point two points away from victory.
Their opposition will be the first final between teenagers in a Major, since that of the US Open won in 1999 by Serena Williams, then aged 17, at the expense of the Swiss Martina Hingis, 18 at the time.
“It means a lot to me to be here in this situation. I obviously wanted to play Grand Slams, but I didn’t know if it would happen so quickly. So, to find myself in the final, at this stage of my career, I have no words, ”she added.
If Raducanu grew up and lives in London, she was born in Canada to a Romanian father and a Chinese mother.
“My Chinese mother instilled in me from an early age work and discipline,” said the young woman who also says she was “much younger inspired by (the former professional player) Li Na, just by her way of having been a fierce competitor ”.
“I remember watching her beat the Italian Francesca Schiavone in the Roland Garros final in 2011. It was really a long and difficult match. But the mental toughness and resilience that she showed in that game remains in my head today, ”she explained.
Since the start of the fortnight, Raducanu has had a series of historic performances. Not content with being the youngest finalist in a major tournament since Maria Sharapova’s victory at 17 at Wimbledon in 2004, she could become the first US Open winner not to lose a set en route since. Serena Williams in 2014.
“Yes, but there is everything to do on Saturday,” she tempered.
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