Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jonathan Spencer

British sensation Emma Raducanu into US Open semi finals with win over Belinda Bencic

Emma Raducanu has sensationally sealed her spot in the US Open semi finals thanks to an incredible straight sets win over Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.

The 18-year-old from Kent became the first qualifier in US Open history to reach the last four with another outstanding display against Bencic.

Just like in her last-16 match against Shelby Rogers, Raducanu got off to a shaky start against Bencic but bounced back in style to claim the first set 6-3 after breaking near the death.

The British teen sensation hit 13 winners to Bencic's five in the opening set - showing her extreme confidence at the moment after replicating her Wimbledon heroics and more.

Emma Raducanu has continued her mesmerising form by reaching the US Open semi finals (JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

And then Raducanu showed her composure early on in the second set as Bencic ramped up the pressure, with the 18-year-old holding her serve amid a few tricky moments.

Raducanu, with momentum hugely in her favour, then sealed her semi-final berth with a 6-4 victory in the second set after breaking her opponent early on.

After making history at Flushing Meadows, Raducanu - who was ranked 361st in the world after bursting onto the scene at WImbledon - admitted she had to adapt as her opponent "caught her off guard" at the start.

She told Amazon Prime: "Playing Belinda, she is such a great opponent and is in great form. She hits the ball so hard, I had to adjust and adapt and it was a really tough match. I am so happy to come through and thank you so much for all your support today.

"I have an absolutely amazing team and I have a team back home who could not be here - I am sure they are watching, I hope!

"Thank you so much everyone, I wish you could be here with me but everything we have been working for has shown here.

Belinda Bencic had no answers against the British teen sensation (USA TODAY Sports)

"It was 0-30 in my last couple of service games so to hold was pretty big, it was one point at a time and trying to focus on what I can control - Belinda was going to fight to the end but I am really pleased to come through that."

Raducanu, only the fourth ever qualifier to reach the semi finals of a Grand Slam, will take on either Karolina Pliskova or Maria Sakkari for a place in the showpiece event at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.

Meanwhile, fellow teenage sensation Leylah Fernandez and Aryna Sabalenka are on the other side of the draw.

The 2021 US Open has played witness to the incredible emergence of young tennis stars, including Raducanu, Fernandez and Carlos Alcaraz on the men's side - who reached the quarter finals before retiring.

And when Raducanu was asked about the success of the young generation, the Brit rejoiced.

She said: "To have so many young players here doing so well, just shows how strong the next generation is. Leylah is doing incredibly well."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.