Emma Raducanu will seek to become the first British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in 44 years when she takes on fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez in an unlikely US Open final between two players who have lit up New York.

A final between the world numbers 150 and 73 was never predicted, nor should it even be as thrilling a prospect as it is, but this US Open - and these two players - have defied expectations at every turn.

Raducanu's story is the stuff of dreams - ranked too low to make the main draw, the 18-year-old had to come through three rounds of qualifying and has become the first qualifier to reach a major final.

And she did all that without dropping a set.

Fernandez, 19, has brushed aside a series of leading players - taking out defending champion Naomi Osaka, fifth seed Elina Svitolina, world number two Aryna Sabalenka and three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber.

Their different paths and contrasting styles - but similarly fearless approach - have set up the first Grand Slam final between teenagers since the 1999 US Open when Serena Williams beat Martina Hingis.

A maiden major beckons for one of them but regardless of whose name is etched onto the trophy, they have both shown there is a bright future for tennis at a time when fans were wondering who might fill the void when the sport's biggest names eventually retire.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1333 HRS, SEP 11, 2021
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