NEW YORK: The last three weeks have flown for Emma Raducanu. She started out in the qualifying draw at Flushing Meadows and has gone on to make history, becoming the first qualifier ever to break into the title-round of a Grand Slam.
The Briton has kept a brisk pace on the court too at the US Open, spending just 7 hours and 42 minutes in the middle for her six matches. She hasn’t dropped more than four games in a set.
When the 18-year-old, the world no.150, takes on Fernandez, 19, the no.73, on Saturday, it’ll be the first time that two teenagers are meeting in the women’s final here since Serena Williams took on Martina Hingis in 1999.
Raducanu of the sparkling range, however, was out of words for her run here, responding to questions with a laugh that said, I'm just as surprised.
"Honestly I just can't believe it," she said. "I wanted to play Grand Slams, but I didn't know how soon that would be. To be in a Grand Slam final at this stage of my career, I have no words."
Raducanu's biggest title came in Pune when as a 16-year-old she won the ITF 25,000 event.
"This is obviously my best achievement so far," she said. "I don't want to get ahead of myself, but it's all to play for on Saturday."
