EMMA RADUCANU is facing Maria Sakkari in the US Open semi-final in New York TONIGHT.
The 18-year-old sensation Raducanu is playing in her FIRST ever US Open tournament.
And she is aiming to be the first British female Grand Slam winner since Virginia Wade won Wimbledon in 1977.
In Raducanu's way is Greek 17th seed Sakkari.
- Start time: From 1.15am BST
- TV/ live stream: Amazon Prime Video (new subscribers can get a free 30-day trial)
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Joshua Jones
EMMA'S DOMINANCE
For most players, it takes seven victories to win a Grand Slam.
But for Raducanu, it would take ten.
That is because the Brit had to come through three rounds of qualifying in New York.
It makes her the first qualifier in US Open history to advance to the semi-finals.
However, even her longest matches have lasted one hour 22 minutes.
Raducanu is also the only of the semi-finalists not to have surrendered a set, a run that extends to the qualifying tournament.
In fact, her toughest match yet was a 6-3 7-5 victory over Mariam Bolkvadze in the second round of qualifying.
- Joshua Jones
LEYLAH LEADS
Despite being outplayed early on, Fernandez has battled back from 4-1 down to force a tie-break… and the Canadian took it 7-3.
Sabalenka got very tight towards the end of the tie-break. mishitting a smash well out at 4-3 and then double-faulting on the next point.
Credit: AP - Joshua Jones
GUARANTEED GLORY
Whatever happens over the next few hours, we know there will be two women securing their spots in their maiden Grand Slam final.
And that also means we will have a new major winner – with all four still having dreams of lifting the trophy come Saturday night.
The women who won their maiden or only Slam at the US Open in recent years are Flavia Pennetta (2015), Sloane Stephens (2017), Naomi Osaka (2018, below) and Bianca Andreescu (2019).
The only repeat Slam champs during that time are Angelique Angelique Kerber (2016) and Osaka (2020).
Credit: Getty Images – Getty
- Joshua Jones
OTHER SEMI
The first semi-final between Sabalenka and Fernandez is underway on court right now.
And the Belarussian has made a flying start.
The world No2 sandwiched an immediate break between two comfortable service holds to race into a 3-0 lead.
- Joshua Jones
EMMA MANIA
Wherever you are in the world, we are closing in on Emma Raducanu's sensational US Open semi-final appearance.
That’s right, the British teenager is in the final four at Flushing Meadows.
She takes on the Greek star Maria Sakkari on Arthur Ashe Stadium later on.
That is expected to get underway around 2am UK time – after the conclusion of Aryna Sabalenka vs Leylah Fernandez.
We will be bringing you all the pre-match build-up right here and live coverage throughout the contest as the qualifier aims to book her spot in Saturday night’s final.
Source: Read Full Article
