US Open 2021 - Day Eleven Women’s Singles semi finals
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
Semi final 1:
Leylah Fernandez (Canada) v Aryna Sabalenka (2) (Belarus)
This was the first meeting between the pair, and also the first semi final at a Grand Slam tournament for Fernandez.
Sabalenka would be appearing in a second major semi final, following her performance at Wimbledon earlier this year.
Sabalenka had won 10 WTA titles before this semi final, including two this year.
Fernandez won her only title to date in Monterrey in March this year.
Sabalenka served first, and held easily. The second seed broke in the next game, three winners included.
Three of the next four games were held to love, and then Fernandez shocked Sabalenka by breaking back. She was helped by a pair of Belarusian double faults and two errors forced by excellent returns.
Games were 4-4 after Fernandez consolidated the break.
Fernandez served at 5-6 to stay in the set. From 30-0 the Canadian offered three unforced errors, and Sabalenka had set point. It was saved when her forehand hit the net. A tie break arrived eventually, two deuces negotiated.
Sabalenka hit a forehand winner down the line to lead 2-0. A forehand error from the same racquet and 2-2. Fernandez took the advantage with another Sabalenka mistake. But advantage lost immediately with error of her own.
Sabalenka messed up an overhead and trailed 3-5. A double fault followed and Fernandez had three set points.
She only required one and took the opening set 7-6(3).
Set two opened with Fernandez at the line. Three errors gave Sabalenka three break points, and she achieved the break with a down the line winner.
The break was consolidated with attacking accurate tennis.
From 2-1 and 30-0, Sabalenka was broken and Fernandez was back in the set. A brilliant cross court passing shot was the highlight.
Fernandez saved a break point, or more correctly, Sabalenka saved it for her, and the unseeded player led 3-2.
Impressive service games from both players, and Fernandez led 4-3.
Two break points for Sabalenka in the ninth game. One saved but not the next, and Sabalenka would serve for the set.
A love game and Sabalenka tied the match at 6-7(3) 6-4.
No service breaks in the first five games of set three, and Sabalenka led 40-15 in the sixth. However, she fell apart, and was broken.
Fernandez, down 0-40, managed to claw back to deuce, but Sabalenka broke back thanks to two clear winners. Fernandez led 4-3.
Unlike in the second set, Fernandez held serve in the ninth game, to be within a game of the final.
A Sabalenka double fault and 0-30. Another one and three match points. A forehand went long and Fernandez won the match 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4.
Amazing to think Fernandez has made the final after defeating Osaka (3), Kerber (16), Svitolina (5) and Sabalenka (2).
And she has just turned 19.
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