Teen sensation: Raducanu rewrites history

British teen sensation Emma Raducanu pulled off another amazing win at the US Open late on Thursday, beating Maria Sakkari in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4 to become there first British woman to reach a grand slam final since 1977.

She also became the first qualifier in history to reach a slam final, guaranteeing herself a $1.25m payday when she meets fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez on Saturday.

Maria Sakkari hits a backhand during the match against Emma Raducanu. Photo: Darren Carroll/USTA

Raducanu swept aside Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic in the quarters two days ago and didn’t let up against No.17 ranked Sakkari.

The young Brit roared into a5-0 lead in the first, in a phenomenal display of tennis for one so young, forcing her Greek opponent in to mistake after mistake.

Sakkari woke up at 5-0 down and pulled back a game with a long backhand but it was too little too late as Raducanu then served for set.

The second was closer as the pair toyed with each before Raducanu broke serve to go 3-1 up.

Sakkari held serve to pull a game back but there was little to stop the ferocious display of tennis from a ruthless Raducanu as she held her nerve, moved around the court to outfox her opponent.

Then Greek pulled it back to 40-all and 4-3, but Raducanu was smelling victory.

Emma Raducanu hits a forehand against Mari Sakkari in their semi-final clash. Photo: Darren Carroll/USTA)

She blew Sakkari away to make it 5-3 before Sakkari came back again.

But on serve, the clinical display continued as she took out the game, the set and the match to make history.

Raducanu will now face another teenager, Leylah Annie Fernandez, in the final after she beat Aryna Sabalenka 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 in the evening’s other semi-final.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Underdogs GB pull off BJK win over Australia

Team GB pulled off  a 3–1 victory over Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup…

4 days ago

Superb Sinner drops Alcaraz to return to ATP No. 1

Jannik Sinner will take back the No. 1 ranking on Monday after winning his fourth…

6 days ago

Djoko dropping hints that career has short shelf life

Novak Djokovic has been making it plain that the end of his career is approaching,…

6 days ago

Sinner, Alcaraz set title clash on Monte Carlo clay

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz fulfilled expectations on Saturday as the top pair in the…

7 days ago

Sinner can do no wrong against Zverev

Jannik Sinner put pure power on display Saturday as the Italian reached his first Monte Carlo…

7 days ago

300th win sends Alcaraz into Monte Carlo final four

Carlos Alcaraz earned the 300th win of his ATP career as the Spaniard rolled 6-3,…

1 week ago