IN a battle of two unseeded teenagers, British sensation Emma Raducanu defeated Canada's Lelyah Fernandez in a 6-4, 6-3 match in the US Open final.
Both youngsters played in the first all-teenage grand slam final since the 1999 US Open on Saturday at the Flushing Meadows, New York.
Raducanu and Fernandez showcased stunning performances in the tournament and dismissed some of the world’s best players between them.
There are many similarities between Raducanu and Fernandez, who were both born in Canada to immigrant families.
Here’s everything that you need to know about the shining stars of tennis.
EMMA RADUCANU
Eighteen-year-old Raducanu did not drop a single set throughout the tournament and became the first British woman to win the trophy since 1968.
Her current standing moves from 150 to 23 and she takes home the prize money of GBP 1.8 million from her US Open win.
• Born on November 13, 2002, she is the only child of Ian Raducanu who hails from Bucharest, Romania, while her mother Renee is from Shenyang in China.
• Raducanu was born in Toronto and raised in the UK. She has lived in Bromley, Kent, since the age of two and started to play tennis at the age of five, attending the same school as Britain’s 200m world champion Dina Asher-Smith.
• She is just the second Briton to win a Grand Slam without dropping a set all tournament, since Angela Mortimer in 1958.
• She is also the first Briton to win the Gland Slam final straight sets since Virginia Wade at the US Open in 1968.
• She is the youngest woman to win a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004 at 17.
• She is the first qualifier (man/woman) to win a Grand Slam and the first woman to win the US Open without losing a set since Serena Williams in 2014.
• Currently coached by Nigel Sears, Raducanu accumulated three ITF Titles, while dabbling motocross and go-karting in her leisure time.
• She received a special congratulatory message from Britain's Royal Family, including from Queen Elizabeth II.
LEYLAH ANNA FERNANDEZ
The 19-year-old from Canada had beaten a trio of players ranked in the top-five - Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows.
• Leylah Anna Fernandez was born on September 6, 2002, in Montreal and currently trains in Boynton Beach, Florida.
• Fernandez inherits a Filipino heritage from her mother Irene, and Ecuadorian and Peruvian from father Jorge, a former footballer and her current coach (he also coaches tennis to daughter sister, Bianca Jolie).
• She is the second child among three sisters and can speak English, French and Spanish.
• In June 2019, Fernandez won the French Open girls' singles final, making her the first Canadian to win a junior grand slam since Eugenie Bouchard.
• Having made her professional debut in July 2019 at the Gatineau Challenger, and winning the women’s singles finals, she became one of the youngest players to qualify in the US Open Semifinals after the 2019 Roland Garros semifinalist Amanda Anisimova.
• In 2020, she made it to the third round of the French Open, which was as far as she had progressed at any grand slam until her run at this year's US Open final.
• Fernandez is the youngest US Open semifinalist since Maria Sharapova in 2005
• Fernandez also won her first WTA Title at the Abierto GNP Seguros in Monterrey, Mexico, earlier this year.
• She got inspired to be a tennis pro after watching Spanish legend Rafael Nadal during lone of the French Open tournament.
Melissa Fernando
Mon Sep 13 2021
(L-R) Leylah Fernandez and Emma Raducanu celebrate with the finalist and championship trophy (respectively) after their match in the women's singles final on day thirteen of the 2021 US Open tennis tournament, September 11, 2021. - Photo by Reuters
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.