US Open 2021: Emma Raducanu, Leylah Fernandez and the all-important question
Emma Raducanu andLeylah Fernandez have shown impressive tennis at the US Open so far. In the final, the two teenagers will also be asked for other qualities.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Sep 11, 2021, 11:59 am
For the majority of all players, it is a goal that will forever remain unattainable: victory in one of the four Grand Slam tournaments. The path to a "lifelong dream" - as Dominic Thiem described his triumph at the US Open last year - is often marked by setbacks, bitter experiences and sporting dramas. Entire careers are designed with just one goal in mind, but achieving it is another piece of paper. For Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez , on the other hand, all of these things only apply in an extremely weakened form, for both players there has been only one way in their careers: that up.
So it happens that a Grand Slam final between two teenagers takes place on Saturday. The only 18-year-old Raducanu, who had already proven her skills at Wimbledon with a round of 16, played without losing a set and through the qualification into the final. Her final opponent Fernandez, who was only one year older, was no less impressive. The Canadian has beaten Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka since the third round. No question about it, Raducanu and Fernandez were undoubtedly the best players at this year's US Open.
The all-important question in the finale, however, will be how the two protagonists have their nerves under control. So far, both the Briton and Fernandez have managed to do this in an impressive way, but in view of the pressure of a Grand Slam final, the psychological component will be much more important than in the previous games.
Raducanu and Fernandez are calm
In the run-up to the final, however, the surprise finalists were still decidedly relaxed. "I think I've done some incredible things," said Raducanu. "Are there any expectations? I'm a qualifier. There is no pressure on me on paper," said the Briton. Fernandez: "My attitude is: I can do anything I plan to do. There is no limit if I believe in myself."
A comparison with the ATP tour suggests how sensational the final actually is. Measured by the world rankings - Raducanu is in 150th place, Fernandez in 73rd place - the counterpart in the men's Antoine Hoang versus Alexei Popyrin would be. This also shows how high the density in women's tennis has been in recent years.
And yet the teenagers will only deal with such games and statistics after the final - ideally with a lifelong dream come true and the right answer to the all-important question in their luggage.
Here is the single tableau at the US Open
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