sredna42
Hall of Fame
Other slams take note. Make your courts fast again
2021 US Open Women's Final: [Q] Emma Raducanu (GBR) vs Leylah Annie Fernandez (CAN)
- Thread starter InvisibleSoul
- Start date
Bud
Bionic Poster
What if nobody won?
(Inside joke if you were active on the TT board 15 years ago)
V
Vamos Rafa Nadal
Guest
I think Emma Raducanu will win but it's hard to predict when it is two newcomers who have never been in a final before. Who will hold their nerves better? Will Fernandez be more tired due to being out on the court more? Can Raducanu sustain her level as she has not dropped a single set yet? Saturday promises to be an exciting finale to a most unusual USO!
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
I think Fernandez is playing well enough to win this title - she's certainly beaten far more decorated opponents. Having said that, she's played what, 4x 3-set matches in a row now? At what point does fatigue come into this?
Raducanu hasn't had to play such established names in the game, but her last 2 versus Bencic and Sakkari have been particularly impressive. 9 straight sets wins in a row now and for me, I think the win over Bencic has convinced me that she's the favourite.
Additionally, both players have been the underdog by ranking in all of their recent matches. This match changes things. It changes the dynamic and potentially their mindsets. I wonder if this is where the pressure comes in for one of them? Possibly this pressure and fatigue may be Fernandez' undoing. Equally, maybe this is the part where Raducanu feels the heat? She did play a final the other week, and Fernandez won a title earlier this year, but this is a major final, so a completely different proposition.
Raducanu hasn't had to play such established names in the game, but her last 2 versus Bencic and Sakkari have been particularly impressive. 9 straight sets wins in a row now and for me, I think the win over Bencic has convinced me that she's the favourite.
Additionally, both players have been the underdog by ranking in all of their recent matches. This match changes things. It changes the dynamic and potentially their mindsets. I wonder if this is where the pressure comes in for one of them? Possibly this pressure and fatigue may be Fernandez' undoing. Equally, maybe this is the part where Raducanu feels the heat? She did play a final the other week, and Fernandez won a title earlier this year, but this is a major final, so a completely different proposition.
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
Fernandez 7-5, 6-2.
5.0 in 3.0 Body Guy
Rookie
I agree with both D-Lite and Vamos Rafa Nadal:
- Doesn't fatigue somehow factor in for Fernandez after four straight nail-biting three setters?
- How does Emma handle being the favorite
- Anyone who has ever played tournament tennis at any level knows its a way different dynamic when you are "supposed to win" vs. "playing with house money"
- This is why the GOAT's (Djoker, Fed, Nadal & Serena) will always be other-worldly to me in terms of the mental toughness
- Who is the crowd going to root for?
- I've been die-hard for Leylah, BUT I think she's just about at the tipping point in terms of the raising the arms and the smiling during points
- Everyone has viewed her as adorable thus far (and rightfully so), but it could start to come across as arrogance
- NY fans can turn on a dime (i.e. Med a few years ago)
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
Fernandez in a the fierce sets. I give her the edge in that she might be fully aware of how she made it to the final, and the last time a woman came from seemingly nowhere to beat past majors winners and take the title.
SaFINNISHikori
New User
The real question is - is this the best looking WTA grand slam final of all time?
heninfan99
Talk Tennis Guru
Fernandez was cut from a Canadian junior program. Canada seems to always take the worst decisions.
sredna42
Hall of Fame
Just got this feeling she is really tired now, which is the reason I'd risk money on rdcu if I had to
USMC-615
Hall of Fame
I understand that take...should be a helluva match though!
V
Vamos Rafa Nadal
Guest
I will be surprised if Fernandez wins the final. But this has been a tournament full of surprises! I wouldn't be surprised if Raducanu wins the tournament without dropping a set.
vsdtrek
Semi-Pro
I’m still undecided and will be happy either way. While Leylah’s path to the final has probably caused fatigue, it should also give her a lot of mental toughness. Given the extremely high quality of her last 4 opponents, she’s essentially played 4 finals in a row. Maybe Emma’s different because of her being out of nowhere and playing lights out, but I think these 4 matches have to help her deal with this final.
speedysteve
Legend
Really don't mind who wins.
I picked Emma in 3. Could just as easily be Leylah though.
I wonder if Emma can win a slam from qually and drop 0 sets?!
I've watched every match of theirs so far (thank you Amazon Prime Video UK).
One small win already - It will be pretty quiet play. All the shiekers are out!
I picked Emma in 3. Could just as easily be Leylah though.
I wonder if Emma can win a slam from qually and drop 0 sets?!
I've watched every match of theirs so far (thank you Amazon Prime Video UK).
One small win already - It will be pretty quiet play. All the shiekers are out!
D
Deleted member 771911
Guest
I don't think Fernandez will be fatigued. Courts are fast and she is 19. Hantuchova was saying when you are 19 and have a day off, it's all good.
V
Vamos Rafa Nadal
Guest
It is nice to have a final in which I am not all stressed out about who the winner will be! Hope the men's final is the same! (That would be a Medvedev - Zverev final!)
Desertman
Hall of Fame
Emma Raducanu interviewed before her US Open final.
tennis24x7
Professional
I feel the same(but even if wrong) but this is a win-win for WTA in general. A lot more people will be watching the final for sure.
prairiegirl
Hall of Fame
Why?
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
it's always heartwarming to see someone manage to escape the totalitarian shackles of canada and make a life for themselves in the free world
This isn't Emma Raducanu.
RaulRamirez
Legend
Iga also plays quietly - and has a great (if still developing) all-court game.
zvelf
Hall of Fame
To be clear, LAF is only 2 months and 1 week older than Emma, so not by much.
This could be a really fun final that could go either way. The questions are whether Fernandez will have to deal with fatigue and how will each deal mentally with playing in their first slam final? Emma is the more solid player in technique and betting odds are for Emma at the moment, but it's a hard call because it's not clear yet how Emma will hold up if it's a really close match.
RaulRamirez
Legend
Love them both!
Fernandez is fearless, has amazing court sense, versatile, aggressive strokes and preternaturally composed, if a little fiery.
Ditto all of these qualities for Raducanu, who really makes it look so easy. I'm so impressed with Leylah, but I think that Emma is, actually, the better player. Effortless movement, great off both wings, can volley, a wonderful ROS (same with Leylah facing Sabalenka's bombs) and like Leylah, just understands how to play the game so well.
Emma in 3.
Fernandez is fearless, has amazing court sense, versatile, aggressive strokes and preternaturally composed, if a little fiery.
Ditto all of these qualities for Raducanu, who really makes it look so easy. I'm so impressed with Leylah, but I think that Emma is, actually, the better player. Effortless movement, great off both wings, can volley, a wonderful ROS (same with Leylah facing Sabalenka's bombs) and like Leylah, just understands how to play the game so well.
Emma in 3.
ibbi
G.O.A.T.
US Open champions beaten
Raducanu: 0
Fernandez: 2
Top 5 seeds beaten
Raducanu: 0
Fernandez: 3
Sets dropped
Raducanu: 0 (including 3 quallies)
Fernandez: 4 (has played 4 three setters in a row)
I think it comes down to whether you go with more dominant form, or level of opposition conquered as to who you make favourite. I wouldn't think at Fernandez's age that all the 3 setters should have taken too much out of her physically. Pretty nicely poised.
Raducanu: 0
Fernandez: 2
Top 5 seeds beaten
Raducanu: 0
Fernandez: 3
Sets dropped
Raducanu: 0 (including 3 quallies)
Fernandez: 4 (has played 4 three setters in a row)
I think it comes down to whether you go with more dominant form, or level of opposition conquered as to who you make favourite. I wouldn't think at Fernandez's age that all the 3 setters should have taken too much out of her physically. Pretty nicely poised.
Yeah I probably hope Fernandez wins, but I think you're right on the battle hardened advantage, especially if it gets tight which it most likely will. Although hopefully the adrenaline prevents her from being battle weary. Radacanu probably has slightly more firepower, so if she can get a jump on her early and maintain the momentum she can win. She likes going dtl with her bh and does so with plenty of venom, which will be useful against the lefty. Fernandez blunts the power and neutralizes the depth of the big hitters extremely well though.
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That's true, at that age you can play a couple of tough 3 setters in one day and be ready to go the next.
mmk
Hall of Fame
My understanding is that Raducanu became one after Wimbledon.They used to say only two things are certain in life:
Death and Taxes.
Well now we can add a third.
Both of these young women will become multi-millionaires after Saturday.
Prize money plus endorsements will make this a certainty.
beast of mallorca
G.O.A.T.
Hope Fernandez beats Raducanu. Leyla deserves it more after beating 2 GS Champions plus the second seed.
V
Vamos Rafa Nadal
Guest
Whichever player earns it by winning the match will have deserved it more!
Desertman
Hall of Fame
I'm sure Raducanu will be lloking at it this way.
Desertman
Hall of Fame
You're right, it's just someone else who looks like Emma Raducanu who is also called Emma and plays tennis and has the same voice. So not even close, really.
Sysyphus
Talk Tennis Guru
yeh, but she is clearly much younger, shoulda gotten someone closer in age for this impersonation~
Third Serve
Talk Tennis Guru
One of those rare matches where I'd be happy no matter who wins in the end.
It's also a rare instance of me actually being invested in a WTA match.
A shame I won't be able to watch it.
It's also a rare instance of me actually being invested in a WTA match.
A shame I won't be able to watch it.
D-Lite
Hall of Fame
Not sure how many people know he's called Radu! Hahaall aboard the
ScottleeSV
Hall of Fame
As a Brit, I've started to get an image of Fernandez becoming a human wall tomorrow and somehow getting everything back, even the Raducanu howlitzers. Remember that Nadal shot where he suddenly flattens out the backhand and it whizzes back across court for a winner? I'm picturing that lol. Already seen heartbreak at the final hurdle this summer with England in the Euros.
Tennisfan339
Professional
I pick Fernandez in 3. Both are impressive and it's very open of course, but Fernandez's game impresses me more. Beating Osaka-Kerber-Svitolina-Sabalenka in epic 3 sets is huge. These 4 opponents weren't even playing badly at all. The match vs Svitolina was pure gem in terms of tennis.. Against Osaka and Kerber she was down a set and a break and managed to turned it around and win. No reason why she can't beat Raducanu in 3, lol.
I haven't watched all of Raducanu's matches, but Rogers and Bencic played atrocious performances. Sakkari was also way below her average level. Is this a furtunate coincidence they all collapsed in front of her, or is she really THAT good? I don't know, but that's why I choose Fernandez here. She beat 3 very in form top-5 + Kerber. Raducanu beat 0 top-10.
Another (potentially important) element, each one played a final this year. Raducanu JUST played one (the week before US) in Chicago and she lost. Fernandez played a final on a similar surface in Monterrey (against Golubic) and she won 6-1 6-4.
I haven't watched all of Raducanu's matches, but Rogers and Bencic played atrocious performances. Sakkari was also way below her average level. Is this a furtunate coincidence they all collapsed in front of her, or is she really THAT good? I don't know, but that's why I choose Fernandez here. She beat 3 very in form top-5 + Kerber. Raducanu beat 0 top-10.
Another (potentially important) element, each one played a final this year. Raducanu JUST played one (the week before US) in Chicago and she lost. Fernandez played a final on a similar surface in Monterrey (against Golubic) and she won 6-1 6-4.