US Open 2021 - Day Thirteen Women’s Singles final
US Open - a Grand Slam tournament, on Hard, in New York City, New York, USA, 30 August - 12 September 2021.
Defending champion:
Naomi Osaka (4) who defeated Victoria Azarenka 1-6 6-3 6-3
Final:
Qualifier Emma Raducanu (Great Britain) v Leylah Fernandez (Canada)
History was made on many fronts in forming the Women’s Singles final at this years US Open.
18 year old Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier, woman or man, to make a final of any Grand Slam tournament.
She also is the youngest British finalist in a major since Christine Truman won Roland Garros in 1959, and the first British woman to make a major final since Virginia Wade won Wimbledon in 1977.
Raducanu did not lose a set throughout three rounds of qualifying and six rounds of the main draw.
Leylah Fernandez defeated four seeded players in succession to reach the final, including three in the top five - two of the four included defending US Open champion Naomi Osaka, and 2016 champion Angelique Kerber.
Fernandez became the youngest player to defeat three top five players at a Grand Slam tournament since Serena Williams at the 1999 US Open.
This final, between unseeded teenagers, would be the first match between the pair, and the first all teenage final since 18 year old Martina Hingis lost to 17 year old Serena Williams in the 1999 US Open.
Raducanu served first in the opening set. Fernandez hit the first winner, a backhand. Raducanu held, sealing the game with her own backhand winner.
Three break points in the first Fernandez service game - a double fault and return winner contributing, Two saved, the second with a forehand pass.
The third saved as well, and deuce. Backhand winner from Raducanu received an ace in reply to save another break point. A double fault and a fifth break point. Saved. A sixth break chance was converted when Fernandez found the net. 2-0.
At 30-15, Raducanu threw in a series of unforced errors and faced a break point. This was saved, as was a second chance. A Fernandez forehand winner set up a third break point. A netted return and deuce again. Double fault and break point #4. A netted British backhand confirmed a break back and after more than twenty minutes it was 2-1 Raducanu.
Fernandez had settled now and she held serve comfortably, a drop shot winner the highlight. Raducanu was under pressure, a double fault following a Fernandez backhand winner. She fought back, winning four straight points to lead 3-2.
In game seven, Raducanu hit a timely forehand winner at 30-30, and another big forehand won the game for 4-3.
Fernandez, struggling on serve throughout the set, again on edge at 30-30. A big first serve enabled a follow up winner, but then a loose forehand brought it to deuce. A repeat big serve / forehand, and ultimately Fernandez held. 4-4.
Fernandez served at 4-5 to stay in the set.
A Raducanu backhand return winner gave her two set points. Both saved. A third chance with a Fernandez forehand error. Saved.
The fourth set point was converted with a Raducanu forehand winner. The set was hers 6-4.
Raducanu continued her run by holding serve in the opening game of set two.
A double fault from Fernandez, then a netted forehand, gave Raducanu three break points. Two saved. The third saved with a huge serve.
Serve was held - a fighting effort, and could be significant.
A lucky net cord and Fernandez had two break points in the next game - both were saved. A third chance arrived with a Fernandez forehand winner.
Raducanu found the net with her backhand and Fernandez broke for a 2-1 lead.
A backhand winner from Raducanu in game four, and she had break back point. Another backhand pass and she converted for 2-2.
A backhand error from Fernandez in the sixth game and it was 15-40. The first break point disappeared, but a sensational forehand down the line winner from Raducanu sealed the break and a 4-2 advantage for the qualifier.
Raducanu consolidated the break, and was a game away from the championship.
Fernandez served at 2-5 to stay in the match.
At 30-30, Fernandez found the net, and it was match point. Saved. Raducanu’s forehand forced an error and a second match point. Saved.
Fernandez held and Raducanu would now serve for the title.
A Fernandez forehand winner 0-15. A Canadian forehand wide 15-15. Raducanu forehand winner 30-15. Raducanu netted forehand 30-30. Raducanu forehand long break point. Long medical timeout before break point saved. Forehand from Raducanu long and another break point. Saved with dramatic overhead. Match point after Fernandez backhand went long.
Ace sealed the championship for Emma Raducanu 6-4 6-3.
At the start of the tournament, Raducanu was ranked 150 and needing to qualify for the main draw. She won ten matches, including seven in the main draw, not losing a set, and now will be ranked #23.
No comments:
Post a Comment