Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
This
2021 US Open Women's Final: [Q] Emma Raducanu (GBR) vs Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN)
- Thread starter InvisibleSoul
- Start date
ScottleeSV
Hall of Fame
I would say Tauson is a future top 10 player though. Golubic...not so much (although she is having a decent year).
bigjimbofan
Rookie
No dog in this fight but just based on the way she is blowing other players out her last few matches, I have to go Raducanu here. A refreshing change to see a final like this.
donquijote
G.O.A.T.
Both come from mixed background immigrant families, spanning multiple continents and both are born in Canada (of North America) which is the melting pot of many cultures. What could be a better representation of the whole world?
Lovely.
Lovely.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
If this is the 8th teenager matchup, that obviously means there were 7 others. Last night, after my admittedly cursory research, I only listed six. I gotta find out what match I missed.
TennisFan3
Talk Tennis Guru
Incorrect. There are 3 certain things in life:
Death, Taxes and Novak at slams.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
And the winner is - the 1989 French Open final - ASV defeating Graf - who was just days away from turning 20, but obviously still qualifies. So the complete list:
1988 French Open - Graf v. Zvereva
1988 US Open - Graf v. Sabatini
1989 French Open - Sanchez-Vicario v. Graf
1991 French Open - Seles v. Sanchez-Vicario
1997 French Open - Majoli v. Hingis
1997 USO - Hingis v. Venus (16 v. 17!)
1999 USO - Serena v. Hingis (17 v. 18)
2021 USO - Radacanu v. Fernandez
It's been 22 years.
BGod
G.O.A.T.
The betting volume should start going Fernandez way. Yes Emma has looks straight line but Fernandez has gotten way more attention and big wins.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
It's really hard to determine what will happen. Fernandez has gutted out 3-set wins vs big names and had all sorts of big-pressure moments. Radacanu has had few acute big pressure moments and played lesser opponents (based on rank) and generally steamrolled. Their physical games both look really good. Fernandez, IMO, really is Kerber Jr. - her being left handed, her use of angles, her low crouch posture on a lot of shots, her redirection of pace. Radacanu's game is seemingly more "straightforward" - more self-generated power, a better serve (first and second), but still with some nice variety and ability to volley.
I was really surprised last night at Sabalenka and Sakkari's unwillingness/inability to mix in some slice - if for now other reason to slow down the point and make their opponents scrape up those balls. Fernandez and Radacanu really seemed to like the ball/pace they were being given.
I was really surprised last night at Sabalenka and Sakkari's unwillingness/inability to mix in some slice - if for now other reason to slow down the point and make their opponents scrape up those balls. Fernandez and Radacanu really seemed to like the ball/pace they were being given.
ttwreader
Hall of Fame
It may be coincident but those who have beaten Osaka after her FO press controversy would go to the final and lost. It was Vondrousova at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (l. to Bencic) and Teichman at 2021 Cincinnati (l. to Barty.) Will Fernandez break the curse tomorrow?
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GhostDog
Hall of Fame
As a Canuck, we win either way as both were born in Canada though Emma moved to England as a toddler.
Rooting for LAF but my gut says Emma will win.
Hopefully, it's a great match.
I don't think either players will be flashes in the pan as with so many WTA players, and both will have very high tennis IQ's, will have top 10 potential going forward.
Rooting for LAF but my gut says Emma will win.
Hopefully, it's a great match.
I don't think either players will be flashes in the pan as with so many WTA players, and both will have very high tennis IQ's, will have top 10 potential going forward.
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Desertman
Hall of Fame
So, in a grand slam final featuring two of the most talented teenage tennis players in the world, you're conflicted over who to support because one is pretty and the other is cool. You couldn't make that up it is so inappropriate.emma is more pretty but layla is more cool, dunno who will be rooting for more, but anyway will be glad no matter who gonna win, for sure
Bhagi Katbamna
Legend
Leylah has had a baptism of fire in the last few matches against extremely tough opponents winning close matches. If it goes to three, she should win. If Emma comes out and blows her out in 2, that can happen as well. I voted for Leylah in 3 though because it isn't common for someone in their first GS final to be totally nonchalant.
Bhagi Katbamna
Legend
I always use the prettiness test to choose one of the two to root for. Problem is that they are both pretty.
Desertman
Hall of Fame
Then you have issues that you need to sort out, perhaps with professional help.
Bhagi Katbamna
Legend
My "issue" is is that I'm a man who's not homosexual and male feminists should get therapy run by me.
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Moon Shooter
Hall of Fame
I enjoy watching older players teach young upstarts a lesson so I am hoping Leylah Fernandez wins.
Rickenbacker4003
Hall of Fame
I love this post.
ScottleeSV
Hall of Fame
It's been revealed that back in May Raducanu entered the local ladies competition in Felixstowe (tiny seaside town in England). The chairmen seems to remember the winner was rather good, now that he thinks back on it, although doesn't think she'll be back to defend.
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
Agree. Plus she weighs nothing, less strain. Also, 3 sets is the minimum for men and I see no reason why Fernandez would be tired physically with one day of rest in between
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
Yes I don’t buy the tired story we get from the commentators for these kids. It’s just an excuse.
The Green Mile
Bionic Poster
Half of this board - "Who TF is that guy?"all aboard the
Gumbo Jackson
Rookie
Interesting match-up. As others have said, Radacanu has been blowing people away with no sets lost, but Fernandez has gutted out wins in three sets against better opponents.
Surprised there hasn't been more discussion of Radacanu at Wimbledon where she had a good run, but retired from a match from difficulty breathing in what seemed like a panic attack.
Surprised there hasn't been more discussion of Radacanu at Wimbledon where she had a good run, but retired from a match from difficulty breathing in what seemed like a panic attack.
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
That's awfully generous to Radu ~!~Half of this board - "Who TF is that guy?"
Chanwan
G.O.A.T.
I got no clue who is y taking it. Not even sure who I am rooting for, like them both quite a bit
I Am Finnish
Bionic Poster
Lolall aboard the
Topspin_80
Hall of Fame
Fernandez is just 2 months older.
Topspin_80
Hall of Fame
Raducanu has played 3 qualifying matches, don't forget that.
StifleYourself
New User
I was trying to see if they played in juniors. All I have found so far is a Junior Wimbledon match in 2018. Raducanu won that in straight sets at 6-2, 6-4. It probably doesn’t mean much, but I’m sure that it’s in the back of their minds.
Ray Mercer
Hall of Fame
Hopefully Leylah as her draw has been ridiculous. If she wins it will go down as one of the greatest slam victories of all time.
Jason Swerve
Hall of Fame
It was definitely on Kournikova's mind when she played Hingis. She said it wasn't, but that match affected Kournikova's mentality until the end of her career.
Moose Malloy
G.O.A.T.
Hingis-Mauresmo 1999 AO final was also an all teen final. Guess there were 9 all teen finals, not 8.
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
It's one thing for TTers like me to miss it, but actual journalists? Shame. I didn't even look for an additional one after that report saying that this year's USO final was the 8th and I "found" the 1989 French Open final.
Moose Malloy
G.O.A.T.
maybe they don’t count Graf in 89. But it will be weird to turn on espn tomorrow and hear them say “this is the 8th all teen final,” which I’m sure will happen. Fake news
bluetrain4
G.O.A.T.
It's one thing for TTers like me to miss it, but actual journalists? Shame. I didn't even look for additional one after that report saying that this year's USO final was the 8th and I "found" the 1989
Update. Moose turned me on to another all-teen match - the 1999 AO final. So, the list above is updated.
Jason Swerve
Hall of Fame
Her lack of conditioning belies weakness. Even still, the entire tour is lacking in either physical and mental conditioning. The champions have both at all times. This woman, for as impressively as she's played, won't be competing with the Hingis of '97 until she can figure out how to hit her balls on the rise and with a flatter trajectory.
Too much unnecessary spin. Too much defensive footwork, taking advantage of consecutive chokers, similar to Osaka in her slam rosters. Hingis at 16 would've been drilling Radacanu from sideline to sideline (she had actually been drinking, the night before defeating Venus), but I can't blame Radacanu for being born too late to experience real competition. What she has is solid enough for what she needs to accomplish. Suffices to say that she's playing at a comfortable level, which is good when the others are anything but comfortable. That said, she doesn't always know where to be moving in any given point: some doubles would smooth that over. She's already willing to charge the net, and that's as respectable as it gets in this age. It's now a matter of knowing how to reliably construct those charges.
Jason Swerve
Hall of Fame
Ah, that'd be the match where Hingis apologized and politely asked Mauresmo to be her friend, and Mauresmo's responses were something to the effect of, "I hope you mean it," and, "Not really."
Not that I entirely blame Mauresmo, but that year wasn't any good for Hingis' karma.
Ginger ninja
Semi-Pro
A surprisingly easy win for Rad. 6-4 6-2. The first qualifier/champion without dropping a set..
V
Vamos Rafa Nadal
Guest
So looking forward to tomorrow's final! I think Emma Raducanu will win in 2 sets and so she will not have dropped a single set in all of her matches. I will be happy with either of them winning though.
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
Emma had 4 days of rest between here 3x straight sets qualifying wins and her 1R straight sets win. I doubt that's much of a factor now, more it was an advantage to have played matches on the USO courts. It's not really different to other players playing a tournament the week before a slam - as long as your conditioning and recovery is good, she shouldn't be too fatigued, especially not at 18. Fernandez's 4x 3 set battles in the past 4 rounds in a row is more significant considering fatigue, but if she has had good recovery she should also be fine at 19, and she will certainly be battle hardened and more prepared for the ups and downs of a 3 set match which Raducanu hasn't had to deal with this tournament.
V
Vamos Rafa Nadal
Guest
I caution people who are thinking that Fernandez will just bounce back from her longer matches because I made that mistake thinking Alcaraz would bounce back after his long matches in the QFs. The match could go either way but all things considered Raducanu is the more likely winner.
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
watching Fernandez vs. Svitolina, I felt that Elina was arguably hitting the better ball on aggregate, but also couldn't help thinking that she was playing like a dolt. Playing right into the lefty's hands.
So it got me thinking about records against lefties. And sure enough:
Elina has a solid 66% match win % against the field. Against lefties? A comparatively abysmal 53%.
Osaka? 64% against the tour, 60% against lefties. Sabalenka? 67% against the field, 64% against lefties.
So what about today's finalist, Emma Raducanu? A stellar 77% against the field so far. But against lefties? 89% (8-1, winning her last 6). Undoubtedly skewed by the small sample, granted, but still. She strikes me as a clever girl who has more tools than your average ball-basher to adapt to different players.
I say Raducanu FTW.
So it got me thinking about records against lefties. And sure enough:
Elina has a solid 66% match win % against the field. Against lefties? A comparatively abysmal 53%.
Osaka? 64% against the tour, 60% against lefties. Sabalenka? 67% against the field, 64% against lefties.
So what about today's finalist, Emma Raducanu? A stellar 77% against the field so far. But against lefties? 89% (8-1, winning her last 6). Undoubtedly skewed by the small sample, granted, but still. She strikes me as a clever girl who has more tools than your average ball-basher to adapt to different players.
I say Raducanu FTW.
ScottleeSV
Hall of Fame
So it affected her for about another month then.
Jason Swerve
Hall of Fame
Her "peak" amounts to about a half a year. You aren't far off.
Beulah Jesus
Hall of Fame
This is such a refreshing final. Raducanu is just bulldozing her way through everyone. Leylah is hanging tough and discombobulating everyone along the way.
I am leaning slightly towards Leylah but Emma is leading in the head-to-head so anything can happen.
May the best teen win.
V
Vamos Rafa Nadal
Guest
Truth is anything can happen in women's matches. I don't have confidence in my prediction for this match for that reason. My hope is that Emma Raducanu is able to maintain her incredible stat of having not dropped a single set in this tournament!