The story writes itself.ĭ'Arcy Maine: This is definitely one of those questions where there truly are no wrong answers. She is 19 and already is one of the most well-rounded players in the tournament. And her serve literally stops the best players in their tracks. Fernandez is the youngest to make the US Open semifinals since Maria Sharapova in 2005 and is the first player to beat two top-5 players in the same major since Serena Williams in 1999. First Naomi Osaka, then Angelique Kerber.
Why teenager Leylah Fernandez is 'not surprised' by memorable run to quarterfinalsĪishwarya Kumar: Leylah Fernandez.
She dominates on her serve, she hits a low number of unforced errors for how high her winner total is, she's been unbelievable. She has won three qualifying matches and four main-draw matches, and not only has she not dropped a set yet, she's been taken to even 6-4 in only three of 14 sets. Which of the breakthrough youngsters has impressed you most this fortnight?īill Connelly: She hasn't played the stiffest competition, but Emma Raducanu. Our experts offer their thoughts on the up-and-comers, if we can still call them that. The upstart teenagers have taken Flushing Meadows by storm on the men's and women's sides, advancing through the brackets and upsetting favorites along the way, as if they own the joint. A US Open without Venus and Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal surely won't live up to Slam standards for tennis fans, right?