New York (AFP)
A star was born in New York: Britain's Emma Raducanu, as radiant as she was talented at 18, had an exceptional performance at the US Open, becoming the first player from qualifying to win a Grand Slam title on Saturday.
"It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and it is a testament to your hard work and dedication," congratulated Queen Elisabeth II, who therefore stayed up until at least 11:30 p.m. London time, to witness Raducanu's feat, crowned in the final, by beating 19-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3.
"What a sensational match! Congratulations Emma Raducanu. You have shown extraordinary talent, composure and courage and we are all extremely proud of you," Prime Minister Boris tweeted in a similar vein. Johnson.
Youngest winner in Major since the Russian Maria Sharapova who won Wimbledon at 17 in 2004, the 150th in the world (who will be 23rd on Monday) achieved a feat all the more impressive as she took everything in her path, winning his ten matches, including qualifying, by 20 sets to 0. The last to achieve such a "perfect" at the US Open was Serena Williams in 2014.
Opposite was Fernandez (73rd), the other sensation of the New York fortnight, who, failing to have swept away his rivals, has managed to reverse very compromised situations, at the expense of seasoned opponents.
She had thus blocked the road of the Japanese Naomi Osaka (3rd), the winner of the last year, of the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina (5th), then of the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (2nd).
- "I hope to be as resilient as New York" -
"It was an incredibly difficult game, the level was really high. She played amazing tennis and beat some of the best players in the world. I hope we will face each other in many more tournaments and hopefully in finals ", paid tribute to him Raducanu.
"I'm very proud of the way I played. I hope to be back here in the final and have the right trophy. I know it's particularly tough today. I just want to say that I hope I can to be as strong and resilient as New York has been for the past 20 years. Thank you for supporting me, "said the Canadian, of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Britain's Emma Raducanu welcomes a point won in the US Open women's singles final she won against Canada's Leylah Fernandez at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 11, 2021 TIMOTHY A. CLARY AFP
The two players met three years after a second round of the junior tournament at Wimbledon in 2018, already won by the Briton.
The context was obviously quite different, in the heart of Arthur Ashe's cauldron and its 23,000 electric fans, including Virginia Wade, who was until Saturday the last Briton to win a Major, in 1977 at Wimbledon.
Raducanu was, as expected, the most aggressive in this final, like this successful entry break, taking advantage of the feverishness in the service of his opponent who has continued to pay the dear price during this meet.
Fernandez, however, managed to break free because she knew how to compete in the exchange, showing that, failing to be so powerful, she knew very well how to counter-attack and impose rallies.
But after 58 highly contested minutes, it was the Briton who still made the difference by breaking her, thanks to a superb uncrossed forehand.
- Tear of blood -
The Canadian, weighed down by a first ball barely exceeding 50% success and a second often punished by the returns of her opponent, again gave up her engagement twice in the second round which she had nevertheless started well by breaking.
After saving two match points at 5-2 on her serve, she fought like hell to delay the deadline, finally releasing her shots.
On one of them, Raducanu grated his left knee on a slip, a tear of blood streaming down his leg.
After a medical time out, the duration of which was slightly disputed by Fernandez, aware that her momentum could be broken, the Briton, after a difficult smash past ric-rac, offered her third match point.
The maid.
Britain's Emma Raducanu hits a forehand against Canada's Leylah Fernandez in the US Open women's singles final, which she won, at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 11 2021 TIMOTHY A. CLARY AFP
Raducanu collapsed with joy at the cheers that have long echoed in Flushing Meadows where no one saw her coming.
Except perhaps observers who remember that at Wimbledon this summer, she reached the round of 16.
She then gave up, suffocated by the stake, victim of respiratory problems.
This time, it was she who took the breath away around her.
© 2021 AFP