Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts to scoring a point against Aryna Sabahlenka, from Belarus, during... [+] Thursday, September 9, 2021 in New York. ASSOCIATED PRESS
It looked as though Leylah Annie Fernandez, 19, might be simply outmatched by the world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka, 23, won from the baseline to take a quick 4-1 lead at the U.S. Open semifinal. Fernandez's magic run had been captivated by the New York crowd. Steve Nash, the Brooklyn Nets coach, was there to cheer her on.
The left-hander, who has been playing here for nearly two weeks, showed poise and power and won the match 7-6(3), 6-6, 4-6, and 6-4 to reach the U.S. Open final.
Fernandez exclaimed on court to ESPN's Pam Shriver, "I have no idea how I got to the final." It was all thanks to the New York crowd. They didn't give up on me and fought for my rights. New York, thank you everyone.
She will be playing either Emma Raducanu, a teenager from Britain, or Maria Sakkari, a Greek teenager. The winner will receive $2.5 million, while the runner-up will be awarded $1.25 million. Fernandez earned $374,000 when he entered the U.S. Open in 2021.
Fernandez stated that I don't care who I play, and that I only want to play in the final.
Fernandez won his third tournament victory, beating a top-5 player. Fernandez also beat Naomi Osaka (four-time major winner) in the third round. 5 Elina Stvitolina in quarterfinals. In the fourth round, she beat Angelique Kerber, a three-time Grand Slam champion.
Fernandez is the youngest female player to beat three top-5 major players since Serena Williams was 17 years old in 1999. En route to winning the 1999 crown, Serena defeated Lindsay Davenport, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis. Tracy Austin, a teenage sensation, and Hingis both watched as Fernandez beat her latest victim.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts to scoring a point against Leylah Florandez, from Canada, during... [+] Thursday, September 9, 2021 in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig). ASSOCIATED PRESS
During this run, Fernandez came literally out of nowhere. Her biggest accomplishment was her March title win at Monterey Open and reaching the final in Acapulco 2020.
The decisive third set saw the players trade breaks, before Fernandez maintained a 5-4 advantage on a service winner. She once again pumped her fist towards her player box.
At 4-5, Sabalenka served and Fernandez was awarded a triple-match point. Fernandez was knocked to the ground by Sabalenka's forehand.
Fernandez stated that she just wanted to make it to the finals. Aryna also fought for the same thing. Although I don't know how I managed to get that last point, I am glad I made it to the finals.
Leylah Fernandez of Canada returns a shot against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the semifinals... [+] of the US Open tennis championships. This was in New York on Thursday, September 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fernandez won the tiebreak by a quick 2-0 after fighting back to force a second-set tiebreak. She won seven of the eight remaining points. Sabalenka gave Fernandez two points, with an overhead smash that sounded like a roaring crowd. Fernandez also lost 3-6. Fernandez won set point with a serve winner. The crowd erupted, and Eric Claptons Layla started to blare outside the stadium.
Fernandez seemed to be tired after taking a 3-2 advantage in the second set. Fernandez was beaten by Sabalenka for a 5-4 advantage. Fernandez had hit a backhand long. Sabalenka closed the match with a serve-and-volley to tie it at one set all.
Fernandez credits Nash with being an inspiration, as he loves tennis even when he isn't coaching Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving.
She said that it was a great inspiration. My dad once used him as an example for me, telling me that we must fight hard like Steve Nash. It is an honor to have your support/ I hope we can have a match in tennis.
Jorge Fernandez, Fernandez's father and coach, traveled from Florida to New York for the semifinal. He preferred to watch TV, but he was not present in the stadium. Irene Fernandez, her mother, has been a constant presence in her playerbox.
Leylah said after the quarterfinal: Although my dad had many things to tell me, he only told me that today I should go out and have fun fighting for every point. Todays your first quarterfinals, dont make it your last. Fighting for your dream is possible.
The dream continues as she advances to the final, where she will be one win away from the title.
