Emma Raducanu is the 2021 US Open champion.
In a historic final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, Raducanu became the first qualifier ever to win a Grand Slam, defeating Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3.
Raducanu is the youngest woman to win a major since Maria Sharpova’s Wimbledon win in 2004. This year’s final also marks the first between two teenagers since the 1999 US Open, when then-17-year-old Serena Williams beat out eighteen-year-old Martina Hingis.
The Englishwoman’s win is a victory of firsts, notably making Raducanu the first to win the US Open without losing a set since 2014, and the first time a British woman has won a Grand Slam in 44 years.
Raducanu, who never dropped a set in ten matches throughout the tournament, continued her flawless play Saturday, opening up against Fernandez with a first set win.
YET to drop a set, still 😎🇬🇧 @EmmaRaducanu edges past Fernandez for the opening set, 6-4!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/elIg3w8gdc— wta (@WTA) September 11, 2021
YET to drop a set, still 😎🇬🇧 @EmmaRaducanu edges past Fernandez for the opening set, 6-4!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/elIg3w8gdc
In the second set, Fernandez was able to save two championship points as she served at 2-5 to keep the match going.
In the next game, Raducanu chased one of Fernandez’s shots into the corner, skinning her knee in the process. The play appeared to give Fernandez a chance to get the match back on serve, but a medical timeout for Raducanu put a quick stop to the Canadian’s momentum.
Five points later, Raducanu stepped up and closed out the final with an ace — sealing a clean 6-4, 6-3 win.
After 1 hour and 53 minutes, the Brit fell to her knees as the both the latest US Open champ and tennis’ next star.
The teenage dream has become a reality. 🇬🇧 @EmmaRaducanu | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/UttQmLteeJ— Live Tennis (@livetennis) September 11, 2021
The teenage dream has become a reality. 🇬🇧 @EmmaRaducanu | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/UttQmLteeJ