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  • Writer's pictureStuart Kavanagh

US Open '21: Teen Queen Raducanu Wins

Updated: Oct 13, 2021

Emma Raducanu Wins US Open Without Dropping Set



British teen sensation Emma Raducanu has become the first player in history to win a Grand Slam tournament from the qualifiers. Having begun her in the first qualifying round she defeated fellow teen sensation Leylah Fernandez in straight sets.


It was a tense first set that went to serve all the way to the tenth game. 18-year-old Raducanu broke nineteen-year-old Fernandez in the first all-teenage final in over 20 years. Come to think of it, the last all-teenage grand slam final took place before they were even born.


The two teen titans went into the second set and the breaks came a little earlier this time. Fernandez broke first before Raducanu broke back twice to take real advantage. On Leylah's service at 5-2 in the second set, the two duked it out in an epic game. Fernandez held her serve and defended two match points to make it 5-3. That left Raducanu with the opportunity to serve for the game.


As if the drama could have gotten any higher, with Fernandez 30-40 up. Then, with a breakpoint in hand, Emma had to take a medical timeout. This came much to Leylah's chagrin. The Canadian made her displeasure clear to the referee just feet away from her opponent.


Medical time-out over (for a cut on the Brits knee by the way) Raducanu saved the breakpoint. She then had to save a second, before getting a championship point on her own serve. She made no mistake. Thundering an ace past her opponent to win a Grand Slam.



The 18-year-old is now a superstar of world sport and will have to get used to receiving accolades from all on and sundry - like this one she received from none other than the Queen herself who congratulated her on her:


“Remarkable achievement at such a young age.”

She went on to also praise her

“Outstanding performance.”

After celebrating with her team and family on the court, she joined in with the crowd in a rendition of 'Sweet Caroline.'


Raducanu won without dropping a set from the qualifying rounds. That's 10 matches and 20 sets to become the first British woman Grand Slam winner in 44 years. One of the greatest accomplishments not only in tennis but in sporting history.


On June 20th, Raducanu was ranked 360th and had never played a tour match.

Now she's made a Wimbledon round of 16 and is a US Open champion. She will also be ranked in the top 25 of the WTA rankings when they next come out. Incredible!



Take nothing away from the runner-up. The Canadian 19-year-old, Leylah Fernandez also had an incredible tournament. The two teens have certainly ushered in a new era in women's tennis at Flushing Meadows this year.


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