US Open: Emma Raducanu says reaching final is 'crazy, cool and absolutely mind-blowing' - BBC Sport
British teenager Emma Raducanu says reaching her first Grand Slam final at the US Open feels "crazy, cool and absolutely mind-blowing".
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British teenager Emma Raducanu says reaching her first Grand Sam final at the US Open feels "crazy, cool and absolutely mind-blowing".

The 18-year-old stunned Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari 6-1 6-4 to become the first qualifier to reach a major final.

She faces Canadian world number 73 Leylah Fernandez, 19, for the title in New York on Saturday.

"I never thought it would come this early to be in a Grand Slam final," Raducanu told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm really enjoying my time in New York and that's showing in my tennis. Tonight, being under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium, it's so iconic and I think I was just thriving in the moment."

Her dream run in New York has captured the public's imagination, with many fans writing on social media that they had set their alarms for the middle-of-the-night match and might be a bit tired or late for work. Pundits have gushed with superlatives and Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among those to congratulate her on her "brilliant win".
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Raducanu, currently ranked 150th in the world, will become the British number one on Monday. Following her latest triumph, she is projected to rise to 32 in the rankings.

Thursday's victory over world number 18 Sakkari, by far the most significant of her career, also means Raducanu is the first British woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.

"I had no idea of this record," Raducanu said. "It obviously means a lot to be the first in the final for so long.

"Crazy, cool. To be here in New York for three weeks is just absolutely mind-blowing for me."

Her final against Fernandez, who herself shocked Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday, will be the first all-teen US Open final since Serena Williams against Martina Hingis in 1999.

Raducanu and Fernandez have met before in junior competition - crossing paths at the prestigious junior Orange Bowl tournament, while the Briton won in straight sets when the pair met in the 2018 girls tournament at Wimbledon.

"We go back a long way," Raducanu said. "I remember speaking to her in Under-12 Orange Bowl. We played each other at junior Wimbledon. We've both come so far since we last played each other. I'm excited to see what sort of match-up it will be."

Is youth the key to Raducanu's success?

Becoming only the fourth British woman to reach a major final in the Open Era, an even more remarkable aspect of Raducanu's run to the final is that she is yet to lose a single set in nine matches at the 2021 US Open - including six main-draw ties on her overseas Grand Slam debut.

Having only played her first WTA event in June, Raducanu has conceded just 27 games across her 18 sets of tennis in New York - that despite coming up against Sakkari, Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, plus three other top-50 players.

"I think honestly being young, there is an element of you do play completely free," Raducanu said.

"But I'm sure that when I'm older or have more experience the same will happen to me. I think the tables will turn. Some younger players will come through.

"Honestly, right now I'm just thinking of the game plan, how to execute. That's what's landed me in this situation. It hasn't been focusing on who's expected to win this match or that one. I think it's just taking care of the day. That's what I'm doing quite well at the moment.

"I don't feel any pressure to win. Any pressure is self-inflicted. I have expectations of my level and how I want to perform but there's no pressure in terms of results."

Former British number one Tim Henman described Raducanu's semi-final display as "simply stunning" and "absolutely staggering".

Speaking on Amazon Prime, Henman said: "She was so resilient. She never flinched. She never let up. It was relentless. And then you've got to throw in the scenario of being a qualifier, an 18-year-old, with all the legends who have ever played this game at Grand Slam level.

"She deserves all the credit in the world. On the biggest stage in our sport at every opportunity she plays on her terms. It's incredible to watch."

Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski said he was "dumbfounded" by Raducanu's performance - one that he believes "was worthy of a world number one, a US Open champion, a multiple Grand Slam champion".

"The composure, the belief, the handling of the big points. This is her first Grand Slam semi-final and it was like she was playing in the first round. It was astonishing," Rusedski added.

Judy Murray said on Twitter that Raducanu's victory was an "incredible achievement", while fellow British player Laura Robson described her win as "unbelievable" and Prime Minister Johnson said: "The whole country will be cheering you on in the final".
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