Fernandez, 19, advances to US Open semifinals

5:48 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK With no players from the United States left to pull for in the US Open, the fans are adopting a neighbor from the North to treat as one of their own: Leylah Fernandez, an unseeded Canadian teenager with an exciting game and enthusiasm to match. A day after turning 19, Fernandez reached her first Grand Slam semifinal and became the youngest player to get that far in the womens bracket at Flushing Meadows since Maria Sharapova in 2005 by adding a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) victory against No. 5 Elina Svitolina on Tuesday to earlier wins over past US Open champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber. I obviously have no idea what Im feeling right now, said Fernandez, a left-hander with quick baseline reflexes who is ranked 73rd and participating in only the seventh major tournament of her nascent career. I was so nervous. I was trying to do what my coach told me to do. That coach is her father, who isnt in New York; he stayed home and is offering tips in daily phone conversations. That helps, certainly, as does the loud backing she has been receiving from the spectators, who rose and cheered wildly each time Fernandez raised a fist high above her head or wind-milled both arms after winning a key point in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Thanks to you, I was able to push through today, she told the crowd after edging Svitolina, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist whose two Grand Slam semifinal runs include the 2019 US Open. 1 Related Not requiring any encouragement to get out of his seat was Fernandezs fitness coach, who would leap and shout, pointing fingers or waving clenched fists. Svitolinas husband, two-time major semifinalist Gael Monfils, offered similar support from Ashes other guest box. It was touch-and-go down the stretch even after Fernandez grabbed the opening set, and even after she led 5-2 in the third. One way in which she held a clear advantage: Of points that lasted more than eight shots, Fernandez won 26, Svitolina 16. Five times, Fernandez was two points from winning but failed to collect the next point. Finally, at 5-all in the tiebreaker, she moved to match point when she smacked a down-the-line passing shot that got past Svitolina with the help of a bounce off the net tape. Fernandez put up both palms, as if to say, Sorry about that bit of luck, while Svitolina put a hand to her mouth in dismay. Svitolinas backhand contributed to her undoing late, and when a return from that side landed long, it was over. Fernandez dropped to her knees at the baseline and covered her face; Svitolina walked around the net to approach Fernandez for a hug. Next on this magical ride for Fernandez will come yet another test against a player who is ranked higher and has more experience on the sports biggest stages: Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, matched her best result in a Grand Slam tournament by reaching the semifinals via a 6-1, 6-4 victory over French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, who was seeded No. 8. Sabalenka acknowledged having confidence problems in the biggest tournaments earlier in her career, saying she has worked with a psychologist to deal with those fears. It seems to be working, as Sabalenka made her initial Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon and will try to go a step further in New York. The post Fernandez, 19, advances to US Open semifinals appeared first on Patabook Sports.

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