The U.S. Open was always going to be a wide-open contest but not many predicted two teenagers making the final.
Saturdays’ women’s final between Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez was extremely unlikely to happen. Raducanu wasn’t expected to make it this far, having to earn a spot in the main draw as a qualifier.
Fernandez has knocked off three top-five seeds en route to reaching the championship match. They have played fantastic tennis in knocking out all the big names, so the future of tennis is bright.
Tennis odds are available for the final, where Raducanu is the opening favorite.
Raducanu Could be the Future
We couldn’t be more impressed with the play of Emma Raducanu. The 18-year-old Canadian-born Brit has rebounded from withdrawing from Wimbledon after suffering a panic attack in the best way possible.
Instead of blaming the pressure of high-level tennis, she has taken it in stride and played amazing tennis with a smile on her face. However, she shouldn’t be viewed as a happy-go-lucky player. She is fierce and possesses a stellar power forehand.
Believe it, @EmmaRaducanu
You’re going to the #USOpen final! pic.twitter.com/x9LsPp6Rog
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2021
Raducanu has been putting away opponents with seemingly more power. Maria Sakkari is one of the strongest players on the WTA Tour and Raducanu’s power made her look silly in her straight-sets semifinal win.
“Honestly, the time here in New York has gone so fast. I’ve just been taking care of each day and three weeks later I’m in the final. I can’t actually believe it,” Raducanu told Sky Sports. “Today I wasn’t thinking about anyone else except for myself. While I have the moment I want to thank my team and the LTA and everyone at home for all their support.
“Since I’ve been here from the first round of the quallies I’ve had unbelievable support.”
We think Raducanu could win the U.S. Open on Saturday and go on to win many more Grand Slam titles. She is composed, talented and she handles the big points well, which are all the makings of a champion.
She also takes on an inexperienced Leylah Fernandez, who has been outstanding, but facing someone who hasn’t been there before is ideal.
Online gambling markets have Raducanu as the favorite to win and we’re not surprised. She is the more dynamic player, so if she can handle the pressure of Flushing Meadows, she could transform the game of tennis.
Fernandez Keeps on Trucking
Just when it looks like Fernandez has met her match, she battles back and wins again.
The Canadian looked like toast in the opening set against Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday after trailing 3-0 early, but she fought back to take the opening set 7-6 in a tiebreak. She then lost the second set and bookmakers had her at +200 to win, but she defied the odds again.
The youngster won the final set 6-4 to progress to the final. It’s an unlikely story for Fernandez, who had to beat Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Sabalenka to get to this point.
🇨🇦 @leylahfernandez IS A GRAND SLAM FINALIST! pic.twitter.com/hK21AC2M8T
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2021
That can’t be understated: She beati two former champions. She doesn’t do anything amazing, but she keeps returning potential winners from her opponents, similar to what Novak Djokovic has made the cornerstone of his career.
“I’m just having fun, I’m trying to produce something for the crowd to enjoy,” Fernandez said. “I’m glad that whatever I’m doing on court, the fans are loving it and I’m loving it, too. We’ll say it’s magical.
“I believed in my game, but it also has helped me open my eyes that I have no limit to my potential, that I can go three sets against these players, I can play against these top players, and I can win against these top players.”
She doesn’t deserve to be the betting online underdog, but it reflects how well Raducanu has been playing. They are similar players, so it could come down to mental toughness.
Raducanu vs Fernandez Pick
It’s fair to say we’re enamored with what Raducanu is doing at the U.S. Open.
We thought she had a bright future after seeing her at Wimbledon, but she has matured significantly since and now the world is her oyster.
We’re happy to take the odds for Raducanu, who could score an emphatic straight-sets victory.
