USA Today via Reuters
Sep 9, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after winning the first set tiebreaker against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus (not pictured) on day eleven of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 9, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after winning the first set tiebreaker against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus (not pictured) on day eleven of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Canadian teenage sensation Leylah Fernandez faces second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the US Open today. Although the Belarusian was the highest seed still in the tournament, Fernandez’s giant-killing form has been nothing short of exceptional.
In an intense three-set battle, both players gave it everything to reach their first Grand Slam final. Ultimately, Fernandez prevailed to pull off another stunning upset in New York. The final scoreline read 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4. This sent Twitter into a frenzy, as fans and celebrities from around the world reacted to one of the biggest upsets of the US Open.
Leylah Fernandez draws massive reactions on Twitter following semifinal victory
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With the first set tied 6-6 after a back-and-forth battle, the set went to a tie-breaker. With the score 3-3, Fernandez powered her way to score four points in a row to take the first set 7-6 (7-3).
Leylah Annie Fernandez rallies back in the tiebreak to take it 7-3! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/DR6mzUgrUQ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 10, 2021
During the match, Sabalenka also found time to destroy a racket to vent her frustration.
Sabalenka wrecks the racket pic.twitter.com/6YazLaesVI
— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) September 10, 2021
Although Sabalenka won the second set 6-4, Fernandez broke the second seed’s serve in the 10th game to record a historic victory, and seal her first appearance in a Grand Slam final.
Twitter took a liking to this result, with Canadian Olympian Christine Sinclair congratulating the 19-year-old. Other stars and public figures from around the world, which featured Magic Johnson, followed suit.
Absolutely incredible. US Open finalist. @leylahfernandez Making all of 🇨🇦 proud
— Christine Sinclair (@sincy12) September 10, 2021
Congrats @leylahfernandez! Super fun to watch! One more 💪🏻🇨🇦
— Mackenzie Hughes (@MacHughesGolf) September 10, 2021
Woooooow! The moment #LeylahFernandez ranked 73rd in the world became a #USOpen finalist! 🔥✨🇨🇦 Laval, Quebec stand up! pic.twitter.com/HuvlRRjmLG
— Perdita Felicien (@perditafelicien) September 10, 2021
Congratulations, Leylah! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ULHzGAqBnD
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 10, 2021
Leylah Fernandez wow! What a cool story! 🇨🇦 #usopen @leylahfernandez
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) September 10, 2021
.@leylahfernandez 🇨🇦
— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) September 10, 2021
Seeing someone’s dreams come true is so beautiful …
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) September 10, 2021
Amazing tennis !
— Kim Clijsters (@Clijsterskim) September 10, 2021
Quelle👏🏽 performance 👏🏽@leylahfernandez 👏🏽 Félicitations pour avoir atteint la FINALE de l'@usopen, on est derrière toi jusqu'au bout ! 🇨🇦
What 👏🏽 a 👏🏽 performance 👏🏽 @leylahfernandez 👏🏽
Congratulations on reaching the @usopen FINAL, we’re behind you all the way! 🇨🇦— Félix AugerAliassime (@felixtennis) September 10, 2021
Yo Canada. You guys up? 😉
👏— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) September 10, 2021
The giant slayer continues!! I just finished watching @leylahfernandez knock off the number 2 player in the world to advance to the Finals!! 🔥 👏🏾
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 10, 2021
Canada 🇨🇦 you have a new star ⭐️ @leylahfernandez 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 @usopen @TennisCanada pic.twitter.com/o5nBOXJPgm
— Aleksandra Wozniak (@alekswozniak87) September 10, 2021
Leylah Fernandez's sister wiping off tears. Aww. ☺️ #usopen pic.twitter.com/L8Wi2xYwA7
— Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) September 10, 2021
$100,000 Pyramid Rules
“You may be older than me, but I’m tougher than you…”“Something Leylah Fernandez should put on a T-shirt.”
— Full Dissident (@hbryant42) September 10, 2021
🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭! @leylahfernandez
— Cassidy Hubbarth (@CassidyHubbarth) September 10, 2021
19 year old Leylah Fernandez on how she was able to come back in this match and get to the #USOpen final:
“I have NO IDEA.” pic.twitter.com/XrBYpcKxj7— Julie Cohen (@FilmmakerJulie) September 10, 2021
Steve Nash is proud! pic.twitter.com/2B0vubsYZQ
— Deven Parikh (@DeePee30) September 10, 2021
Leylah Fernandez is in the running for Prime Minister of the US Open. 🥰 pic.twitter.com/ZCToiFa3gl
— Tina Carmillia 😷 (@tinacarmillia) September 10, 2021
READ MORE: Leylah Fernandez Matches Multiple Records Including Maria Sharapova, Eugenie Bouchard and Others
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Fernandez to face Emma Raducanu or Maria Sakkari in the final
The second semifinal between Raducanu and Sakkari follows this match in the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The winner will face the 19-year-old Canadian, who seems unbeatable at this point.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 9, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Leylah Fernandez of Canada reacts after winning the first set tiebreaker against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus (not pictured) on day eleven of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Regardless of who her opponent is, Fernandez established she will be no pushover in the final at the Ashe. Can she end her run in New York with a maiden Grand Slam victory?
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WATCH STORY: Breathtaking Tennis From 18-Year-Old Sensation at US Open 2021
