US Open: Teenager Leylah Fernandez beats Elina Svitolina to reach semi-finals

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Fernandez beat Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina in New York.

US Open 2021 Venue Flushing Meadows New York Date: 30-08-12 September Coverage

Canadian teenager Leylah Farandez put on another impressive performance to defeat fifth seed Elina Svitolina, and reach the US Open semi finals.

Fernandez, now 19 years old, displayed all her power and won a tight tie-break, 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-6), in front of a cheering crowd.

26-year-old Svitolina had overcome a deficit of 5-2 in the third, but she could not stop Fernandez’s powerful, thrilling play.

Fernandez will next play Aryna Sabalenka, or Barbora Krejcikova.

Fernandez defeated Naomi Osaka, the defending champion and 2016 winner Angelique Kerber. She also beat Svitolina, Olympic bronze medallist Svitolina during her run to her first major semifinal.

She demonstrated remarkable composure in New York and backed up her effortless power with calmness on court.

Fernandez was elated when Svitolina returned a serve long on match points.

"I don't know what I feel right now. She said that she was nervous all through the match.

"It was an honor to fight Svitolina. I told myself to fight for every point. "I'm glad that I did.

"Fernandez is not a flash in the pan"

Fernandez was awarded her first WTA title in Monterrey this year.

Fernandez, who reached the US Open singles semi finals just one day after her 19th Birthday, is the youngest woman to do so since Maria Sharapova in 2005.

The teens have achieved a breakthrough at the US Open this year, with Emma Raducanu (18) and Carlos Alvaraz (18) reaching the fourth round alongside Fernandez.

Fernandez has demonstrated that it is possible to go one more, regardless of the opponent. Fernandez has shown them that trusting in her game, and her big-hitting tools is possible. She finished with 42 wins against Svitolina.

Naomi Broady, a British tennis player, stated to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport that "this is not a flashy thing." Fernandez has supported it match after match.

Her father is a former professional footballer and coaches her. Fernandez, who was a child, believed that she could beat her father in backyard football games. It is this self-confidence that has supported Fernandez's performances in New York.

Her dad is home with her younger sister and she credits him with providing her with tactical support. Duglas Cordero, her fitness coach, is the leader of her lively support group. She constantly asks them to make more noise.

She said, "My dad taught me so many things, but today he told us to have fun."

He said to fight for every point, not just the quarter-finals. I should fight for my dream and fight for it."

Fernandez began strongly against Svitolina. She took a 4-2 lead, and she smashed winners past her passive opponent.

Svitolina, an Olympic bronze medallist from Tokyo, was slow to adjust her game but she incorporated defence and offence in the third to break Fernandez's serve.

Fernandez kept hitting, winning long rallies, and broke back as Svitolina served the set at 5-1. This created four break points for the Ukrainian in its next service game.

Svitolina's yelp when she got an ace out of bounds wrapped up the second set.

Fernandez was able to navigate her way out of trouble again, picking her shots well and outmaneuvring Svitolina at net. Fernandez served for the match after three break serves. However, she looked nervy the first time and allowed Svitolina to take advantage.

However, the tie-break felt like one-way traffic. Fernandez raced to a 4-1 lead, and the points that were against her were mostly her fault, not one push by Svitolina.

Although the Ukrainian was determined to win, Fernandez's momentum continued. The two shared a short hug before Svitolina left court.

Svitolina is frequently tipped to be a Grand Slam champion in wait, but she has only reached two major semi-finals at Flushing Meadows and the French Open in 2019.