‘My god’: Teen tennis freak stuns the world at the US Open again

Leylah Fernandez is suddenly the name on everyone’s lips as her mind-blowing spree in New York took another dramatic turn.

Teenage phenomenon Leylah Fernandez is through to her first grand slam semi-final after she claimed another huge scalp in her extraordinary giant-killing run at the US Open.

The unseeded 19-year-old defeated world No. 5 Elina Svitolina 6-3 3-6 7-6 in a thrilling affair to book her spot in the final four and become the youngest female semi-finalist at Flushing Meadows since Maria Sharapova in 2005.

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Fernandez has lit up the court in New York, beating four-time major champion Naomi Osaka in the third round before advancing to the quarter-finals courtesy of a win over three-time grand slam winner Angelique Kerber.

Relatively unknown to casual tennis observers before this tournament, the Canadian is now the name on everyone’s lips.

Fernandez broke early in the third set on Wednesday (AEST) and maintained the rage. She looked on track to serve out the match at 5-3 but nerves got to her and Svitolina broke for the first time in the set to keep her campaign alive.

The Ukrainian’s belly was full of fire and she narrowly held serve, gesturing to the crowd to lift.

At 5-5 Fernandez suffered more wobbles off her own racquet, but an incredible backhand winner at deuce put her in a position to close out the game. Svitolina bounced back quickly and we were headed for a tiebreak.

Fernandez showed composure beyond her years to take a 4-1 lead as her opponent let out a scream of disapproval. But Svitolina’s mood soon improved when she won three straight points to square things up at 4-4.

At 5-5, Fernandez was the beneficiary of a lucky net cord and when Svitolina hit beyond the baseline, it was all over. The world No. 73 sunk to her knees in disbelief as the crowd roared.

Fernandez was overwhelmed with emotion. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

She’s become the queen of New York. (Photo by Timothy A. Clary/AFP)

“I honestly have no idea what I’m feeling right now,” Fernandez said in her post-match interview.

“Throughout the whole match I was so nervous. Thanks to you guys, to the crowd, to the New York crowd, cheering me on, fighting for me, never giving up for me. Thanks to you I was able to push through today.”

Fernandez will face either Barbora Krejcikova or Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals.

‘My god’: World reacts to teen stunner

The tennis world was in awe not just of Fernandez, but of the entire spectacle as the match came down to a thrilling conclusion.

Journalist Carole Bouchard said it was “unreal” as she listed off the huge names Fernandez has taken down at Flushing Meadows while tennis writer Ricky Dimon tweeted: “That match was insane.”

Reporter George Bellshaw added: “Terrific advert for tennis, that. Leylah Fernandez another (of many) special talent rising in the women’s game.”

Leylah’s run:

R1: Konjuh
R2: Kanepi
R3: Osaka
R4: Kerber
QF: Svitolina

My god. #USOpen

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 7, 2021

Journalist Tumaini Carayol said it was “crazy” to reflect on the calibire of players Fernandez has beaten to get this far in the tournament.

“It is impressive enough to get a few big wins, but every single match here is tough,” he tweeted. “Konjuh is in great form and dominated qualifying, Kanepi, a slam specialist, took out a seed in R1. She beat three huge hitters then two of the best defensive players.”

Even NBA legend Magic Johnson chimed in. “If you haven’t seen the most exciting player at the US Open, 19-year old Leylah Fernandez, you’re truly missing out!! She just beat her 3rd ranked opponent and is on fire. She’s captivating the world!” Johnson wrote.

Fernandez made her first grand slam appearance at last year’s Australian Open and that same year progressed to the round of 32 at Roland Garros, giving Petra Kvitova a run for her money. Some tennis diehards may have taken note of the teen freak then but it’s only been in the past week where the rest of the world has joined the party.

Can she go all the way? (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Svitolina gave it everything she had. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)