‘Qualifier’ Emma Raducanu Wins US Open 2021

In years and years of watching tennis live, we’ve barely ever got to see such days where two teenagers reached the final of a Grand Slam event. That’s what happened in the US Open 2021 women’s final where 18-year old Emma Raducanu made it through the qualifiers and then went on to qualify to the finals as well, in only her second grand slam appearance.

And she was up against another teenager in Leylah Annie Fernandez who also took down a few big names on her way to the US Open 2021 final, albeit losing a few sets on the way. It was a match for the ages but results wise, Raducanu was flawless once again. She played 7 games prior to this final and this was the eight one where she won without even having dropped a set.

So yes, we’re glad to report the fact that a qualifier from Great Britain by the name of Emma Raducanu has gone on to script history by becoming the first ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam title. Her friends, family, coaching staff and everyone supporting her would’ve been super proud of her as the 18-year old beat Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 to win her maiden grand slam title.

So many former US Open champions were present at the Arthur Ashe Stadium tonight to witness this historic final, and Raducanu went on to break many records with this victory. She also became the first British woman to win the US Open since Virginia Wade won the tournament way back in 1977, which is as far as 44 years ago!

This teenage phenom has skipped a few rungs on the ladder to bag her first title, playing only her second major. She was a wildcard entrant in the 2021 Wimbledon as well, where she played and won 3 games in straight sets before she had to retire out hurt in her Round 4 game. Here also, she has gone through the US Open 2021 campaign without losing a single set. UNREAL!

The final moments were full of drama as the Canadian Fernandez was leading 30-40 and was attempting to break back the Raducanu serve, when the latter scraped her leg on the court and needed an emergency medical timeout. With so much blood running down Raducanu’s leg, there was a definite need for the timeout but Fernandez just didn’t understand that, in an animated argument with the referee.