18-year old Emma Raducanu created history as she won her first major title after defeating Leylah Fernandez in the final of the US Open. Raducanu was ranked 150 before US Open and had to go through the qualifiers in which she won three matches. Subsequently, she won seven matches in the main draw to create history.
She didn’t even drop a set on her way to maiden Grand slam title. She also becomes the first qualifier to win a Grand slam without dropping a single set. Furthermore, she has become the first British player to win a Grand slam title since Andy Murray. Moreover, the 18-year old became the first woman to win the US Open without dropping a set since Serena Williams in 2014.
Raducanu has also become the first British woman after Virginia Wade to win a Grand slam after a long gap of 53 years. Wade feels it’s a stuff of dreams which Raducanu has achieved in the last two weeks.
“To think that she had to play ten matches in a row. It’s very hard to win ten matches in a row,” said Wade. “She didn’t lose a set and she’s first in every way you can think of. First qualifier to win, first British woman since I won 53 years ago. “It’s a dream. You dream of doing that.”
On the other hand, Canada’s Leylah Fernandez was also impressed with her skills as she made it to her maiden Grand slam final. Wade reckons both Raducanu and Fernandez will dominate the Tennis world in the next decade.
“In my mind there are six to ten players who are going to need to share the hardware over the next 10 years because they all look good. “It’s impossible to win all of them, but I think you’re going to have Emma and Leylah doing their fair share of winning and staying up at the top.”
It was the first time in US Open history when two teenagers made it to the final of the tournament, which goes to show the depth of talent and skills in the game. Raducanu’s triumph will certainly inspire the young girls to take up the sport.