US Open: Emma Raducanu becomes first qualifier to win Grand Slam title

The British female player did not drop a single set in the tournment.

Emma Raducanu has written her name in the history books by winning the US Open 2021. The 18-year-old defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 in straight sets, becoming the first qualifier to secure a Grand Slam crown.

The final was a window to look at what the future holds for women’s tennis, as the two exciting teenagers collided in the showpiece of a grand slam. 

The British teen sensation was 150th in the world rankings before her US Open triumph. Emma Raducanu has also ended a long wait of 44 years from the last time a British female tennis player won a Grand Slam title. It was Virginia Wade who won Wimbledon in 1977. She was also the last female British tennis player before Raducanu to win the US Open in 1968. 

Records galore

Arthur Ashe Stadium was privy to an epic moment in history, where the final involved two unseeded players. Reaching the final was already a massive achievement for both teens. The last time two teenagers contested a Grand Slam final was when Serena Williams (17) won against Martina Hingis (18) in 1999. 

Emma Raducanu set a few more records for herself. She became the second youngest player, after Williams, to win the US Open. She is also the first US Open champion since Williams in 2014 to win without dropping a single set.

What makes her Grand Slam victory even more triumphant is the fact that she entered the competition as a qualifier. Therefore, Emma Raducanu had to win three games prior to entering the main draw of the tournament. 

The two teenagers were relentless in the final, trying to best the other. Raducanu’s strong baseline play made sure that she remained a step ahead of her Canadian opponent. She raced into a 2-0 lead in the first set. After a close contest, Emma Raducanu secured the first set 6-4 in 58 minutes.

She managed to save crucial breakpoints from Fernandez in the second set before winning the match. The contest finished with the British player delivering an unstoppable ace to win the second set 6-3 and the match. 

Promising future

This US Open victory will go down in the history books. Raducanu’s hunger to win made her the first-ever qualifier to win a Grand Slam, male or female. She is a path-breaker and an inspiration at only 18-years-old. Emma Raducanu is yet to win a match at a WTA tour event and has not qualified directly for a grand slam’s main draw. However, these things will surely change in the future for the promising young tennis player. 

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