Emma Raducanu scripts history and becomes the first qualifier to reach the semifinals of the US Open


Emma Raducanu scripts history and becomes the first qualifier to reach the semifinals of the US Open

Emma Raducanu

In what is probably one of the most shocking and dominant performances at a grand slam in recent times, 18-year old Emma Raducanu has reached the semifinal of the US Open and has become the first qualifier in the tournament’s rich history to do so. She beat Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinals in straight sets 6-3,6-4.

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She has become the youngest semifinalist at the US Open since Maria Sharapova in 2005 and has become the lowest ranked player to do so since Kim Clijsters in 2009. To add depth, this is Raducanu’s second main draw appearance at a grand slam and in the 8 matches she has played in Flushing Meadows this year, she is yet to drop a set.

Emma was once again entering the match as an underdog but unlike her previous matches, the spotlight was on her and she looked very nervous in the start. He couldn’t get her serve right and handed Bencic an early 2-0 lead. But she once again showed nerves of steel and bounced back. She won won 6 of the next 7 games, breaking Bencic multiple times and winning the set 6-3.

The young Brit was playing very well and to the contrary, Bencic looked completely out of sorts on serve. She made a lot on unforced errors and even double faulted a lot. Her misery didn’t stop in the second set too but she manages to cling onto serve early on. But it was a matter of time before Raducanu broke Bencic’s serve and capitalized it with a strong hold. He eventually held her nerves to close out the set 6-4 and her reaction at the end showcased what the win meant to her.

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Raducanu will now face either Karolina Pliskova or Maria Sakkari in the semifinals, which will be the biggest match of her short career.

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