US Open 2021 - 'What a performance' - Reaction to teenager Leylah Fernandez roaring into final in New York

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 10/09/2021 at 07:30 GMT

Leylah Fernandez held her nerve at the business end in the deciding set of what was a dramatic and pulsating US Open semi-final clash to overcome second seed Aryna Sabalenka. It has been a remarkable run against the odds from the 19-year-old, and she will now take her place in Saturday's showpiece final at Flushing Meadows.

Leylah Fernandez stunned second seed Aryna Sabalenka to win a classic US Open semi-final, and the tennis world has hailed the Canadian teenager.

It has been a fairytale run for the unseeded 19-year-old, and she ultimately triumphed, 7-6(3) 4-6 6-4, in a tense and enthralling clash at Arthur Ashe Stadium to secure her place in Saturday's showpiece.

Fernandez somehow recovered from three games down and Sabalenka being absolutely dominant to take the opening set in a remarkable turnaround and, despite losing the second, responded to win the decider in thrilling fashion.

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"It is thanks to the New York crowd, they have helped me and cheered for me and never gave up for me, they fought for me," Fernandez said in her on-court interview.

"Thank you, New York! That is years of hard work and tears and blood on court and sacrifices, I really wanted it, I fought for every point. Aryna fought for the same thing and I don't know how I got the last point in but I am glad I'm in the final.

"My mental toughness has come from years and years of hard work and blood. On-court and off-court sacrifices. I just I really wanted to be in the final. I fought for every point."

The reaction to Fernandez's latest famous win was joyous and reflected the stunning nature of her fairytale in New York.

Canada's Leylah Fernandez celebrates after winning the first set against Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka during their 2021 US Open Tennis tournament women's semifinal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York

Image credit: Getty Images

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