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Emma Raducanu (left), and Leylah Fernandez are both 37 years old.
US Open 2021 women’s singles final Venue Flushing Meadows New York Date: September 11, Time: 21:00 BST. Radio commentary: Radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra/BBC Sport website, and app. Live text commentary available on the app.
Emma Raducanu, a teenager from Britain, will attempt to be the first woman to win a Grand Slam Singles title in 44-years. She will face Leylah Fernandez, a fellow teenager in contested final at the US Open between two players who lit up New York.
It was impossible to predict a final between world number 150 and 73. This US Open, and these two players, has defied all expectations at every turn.
Raducanu's story is amazing. Despite being ranked too low for the main draw, Raducanu had to go through three rounds qualifying to become the first qualifier to the major final.
She did it all without losing a single set.
Fernandez, 19, has overcome a number of top players, including defending champion Naomi Osaka and fifth seed Elina Stitolina. She also defeated world number two Aryna Tabalenka. Angelique Kerber is a three-time Grand Slam champion.
The first Grand Slam final between teens has been set up by their different styles and paths, but with a similar fearless approach.
One of them will be a maiden major, but regardless of who is inscribed on the trophy, both have shown that there is a bright future of tennis at a time where fans were wondering about who would fill the void left by the sport's most prominent players.
"The whole country will cheer Raducanu on"
Raducanu's achievements have been praised by royalty, politicians, rock stars, pundits, and fans.
She might be the first female Grand Slam singles champion since Virginia Wade won 1977 Wimbledon.
It is remarkable that she is 18 years old, but has also clinically defeated much more experienced players like Olympic champion Belinda Bencic (17th seed Maria Sakkari). She has a fearless game with great variety and the ability to switch tactics on the spot.
Then there's that smile.
She has appeared so relaxed at times, that she has been able to beam between points. Her mega-watt smile that lit up Arthur Ashe Stadium after converting point match has won over both local and national fans.
In just three months she has achieved so much. She reached the last 16 at Wimbledon in her Grand Slam debut. Her ranking rose from 338 to just outside of the top 30, and she will be British number 1.
Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam singles champion, said that "when you see that type of talent that won't ever be denied",
"She looks almost like a finished product when she's just starting."
British fans will be happy to know that the final will take place at 21:00 BST. Many had already set their alarms for the early hours of the morning when she played the semi-final.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted, "The entire country will cheer you on in the last,"
Emma Raducanu's journey to the final
Similar backgrounds, different styles and the same goals
Fernandez, who is only two months older that Raducanu, turned 19 this week and has been living her dream at Flushing Meadows.
She was also greeted with congratulations. Marie-Philip Poulin, Canadian ice hockey captain, shared this advice with the Prime Minister and top sportspeople: "Make sure you have maple syrup before the final!"
Fernandez's matches were more difficult than Raducanu's. Four of her six matches went to three sets, and five matches featured tie-breaks. The Briton has, however, not lost a set and never faced even a tiebreak.
Fernandez's opponents are bigger and her court behavior is different from Raducanu.
Raducanu, a left-handed Canadian, loves fist pumping and getting the crowd to follow her.
Both were born in Canada to immigrants parents and grew up playing together in junior Wimbledon.
Raducanu won the match 6-2, 6-4. However, so much has happened since that match that it is impossible to predict what Saturday will bring.
This match-up has attracted so much attention, Novak Djokovic’s quest to set a record for 21st men’s major and a calendar Grand Slam Grand Slam has been somewhat overshadowed.
Fernandez said, "I think that we all are just super hungry for making a difference in tennis world." Fernandez said, "We've always joked about the WTA Tour and that we'll be there together on the big stage."
"We want to make an impact in tennis." "We want to have an impact on tennis."
They have done it, regardless of what the final result is.
