US Open FINALS LIVE – Emma Raducanu Wins: Brilliant Emma Raducanu beats Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 – Emma Raducanu defeated Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the US Open women’s singles final to become the first British woman to win the US Open title in 53 years. She is also the first British woman in 44 years to win a Grand Slam singles title.
She will take home $2.48m (18.3 Cr) in prize money, rise to 23 in the world rankings and will become the British number one on Monday.
US Open 2021 FINALS: 18-year-old Emma Raducanu scripts history, beats Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3; Highlights
US Open FINALS LIVE – Emma Raducanu Wins: The 18-year-old Emma Raducanu defeated her Canadian opponent in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 in the summit clash held at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York. “The 53-year wait is over! Emma Raducanu is the first Flag of United Kingdom woman to win the #USOpen since 1968,” the official handle of US Open tweeted.
The 18-year-old ended her scarcely believable run in New York with a 6-4 6-3 win over her 19-year-old Canadian opponent in a high-quality final. Raducanu threw herself to the floor in disbelief as she fired down an ace to conclude what has been the most remarkable journey.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, in a statement, congratulated Raducanu on her success and said it is a testament to her hard work and dedication.
I send my congratulations to you on your success in winning the United States Open Tennis Championships. It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication. I have no doubt your outstanding performance, and that of your opponent Leylah Fernandez, will inspire the next generation of tennis players. I send my warmest good wishes to you and your many supporters,” the statement read.
Taking to Twitter, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Raducanu showed extraordinary skill in the game.
“What a sensational match! Huge congratulations to Emma Raducanu. You showed extraordinary skill, poise and guts and we are all hugely proud of you. #USOpen,” he tweeted.
UK’s sports minister Nigel Huddleston also lauded the 18-year-old player for the achievement.
Raducanu had become the first qualifier, male or female, to ever advance to a major final. It is the first all-teenage major final since Serena Williams defeated Martina Hingis at the 1999 US Open.
She was the youngest British major finalist in 62 years, the first British woman to reach a major final in 44 years, and the first British woman to reach the US Open final in 53 years, as per wtatennis.com.
🇬🇧 @EmmaRaducanu is the youngest Grand Slam champion since @MariaSharapova at 2004 Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/kFRKuDy9IH
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2021
The 150th-ranked Raducanu is the first qualifier to win one of the four majors and the 18-year-old also became the first British woman in 44 years to win a Grand Slam title. She also ended 43-year-old Britain’s jinx to win US Open title.
Emma Raducanu will rise from No. 150 to No. 23 in Monday’s @WTA rankings.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2021
The first Grand Slam final — men or women — to be contested by two unseeded players was an improbable matchup that no one could have predicted, featuring 150th-ranked qualifier Raducanu and little-known Fernandez ranked 73rd.
All the more remarkable was that Raducanu’s march to the title required 10 matches, including three wins in qualifying, and she did it without dropping a single set along the way.
US Open 2021 Finals: Emma Raducanu lands the biggest paycheque of her tennis career
Leylah Fernandez vs Emma Raducanu: Highlights
US Open Youngest champion in womens’ singles
| Champion | Year | Age |
| Open Era | ||
| 1. Tracy Austin | 1979 | 16 years, 8 months, 28 days |
| 2. Martina Hingis | 1997 | 16 years, 11 months, 8 days |
| 3. Monica Seles | 1991 | 17 years, 9 months, 5 days |
List of U.S. Open women’s singles champions since 1999
2021 – Emma Raducanu (Britain)
- 2020 – Naomi Osaka (Japan) beat Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) 1-6 6-3 6-3
- 2019 – Bianca Andreescu (Canada) beat Serena Williams (U.S.) 6-3 7-5
- 2018 – Osaka beat Serena Williams (U.S.) 6-2 6-4
- 2017 – Sloane Stephens (U.S.) beat Madison Keys (U.S.) 6-3 6-0
- 2016 – Angelique Kerber (Germany) beat Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) 6-3 4-6 6-4
- 2015 – Flavia Pennetta (Italy) beat Roberta Vinci (Italy) 7-6(4) 6-2
- 2014 – Serena Williams (U.S.) beat Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 6-3 6-3
- 2013 – Serena Williams beat Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) 7-5 6-7(6) 6-1
- 2012 – Serena Williams beat Azarenka 6-2 2-6 7-5
- 2011 – Samantha Stosur (Australia) beat Serena Williams 6-2 6-3
- 2010 – Kim Clijsters (Belgium) beat Vera Zvonareva (Russia) 6-2 6-1
- 2009 – Clijsters beat Wozniacki 7-5 6-3
- 2008 – Serena Williams beat Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 6-4 7-5
- 2007 – Justine Henin (Belgium) beat Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 6-1 6-3
- 2006 – Maria Sharapova (Russia) beat Henin 6-4 6-4
- 2005 – Clijsters beat Mary Pierce (France) 6-3 6-1
- 2004 – Kuznetsova beat Elena Dementieva (Russia) 6-3 7-5
- 2003 – Henin beat Clijsters 7-5 6-1
- 2002 – Serena Williams beat Venus Williams (U.S.) 6-4 6-3
- 2001 – Venus Williams beat Serena Williams 6-2 6-4
- 2000 – Venus Williams beat Lindsay Davenport (U.S.) 6-4 7-5
- 1999 – Serena Williams beat Martina Hingis (Switzerland) 6-3 7-6
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(with Reuters inputs)
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