US Open: Leylah Fernandez enters her first Grand Slam final after win over Aryna Sabalenka

Leylah Fernandez continues her brilliant run in the US Open as she defeats World Number 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-final to advance into her first major final.

Leylah Fernandez wins her first major semifinal at the US Open to advance into the final after defeating Word Number 2 Aryna Sabalenka 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday.

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This was the 73rd-ranked Fernandez’s fourth three-set victory in a row over her higher-ranked opponents in the tournament. The first big name to fall was the defending US Open champion and World Number 3 Naomi Osaka in the third round. Immediately to follow was the win against the former US Open winner and World Number 6, Angelique Kerber in the Round of 16/fourth round. Then came the win against the World Number 5 Elina Svitolina in the Quarter-finals and finally the semi-final victory over Sabalenka earlier today.

 

“That’s years and years and years of hard work and tears and blood,” said Fernandez as reported by Associated Press “Everything. On court, off court. Sacrifices.” she added as she now gives her country of Canada a chance at its second US Open women’s title in three years. The last Canadian to win it was Bianca Andreescu after she beat Serena Williams in 2019. 

The 19-year-old now looks to Saturdays final with the probability to face the 18-year-old Emma Raducanu of Britain or Maria Sakkari of Greece as the duo take on each other in the second semi-final later today. None of the three have entered into a Grand Slam title match before in their career.