When Emma Raducanu first arrived in Queens three weeks ago, she would never have thought her stay would end with a congratulatory message from The Queen. But after a magical run to the 2021 US Open women's singles title, the 18-year-old qualifier is now tennis royalty.
Raducanu defeated fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez in straight sets in Saturday's final to claim the crown by winning 20 straight sets in New York, including six in qualifying.
Youth was also served in the US Open Junior Championships, where American Robin Montgomery swept the singles and doubles titles, pairing with compatriot Ashlyn Krueger for the latter. Trophies were also earned in the mixed doubles and wheelchair doubles competitions, with Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid securing a Grand Slam in the wheelchair event.
Here's how the titles were won on Day 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Raducanu reigns: Time stood still as Raducanu faced a break point while serving for the match. After she scraped her knee sliding for a wide backhand at 30-all, a trainer visit was required to patch up the bloody cut. She stepped back to the line and saved that break point, and then another by deftly placing a tough high volley.
After two match points went begging in her previous return game, Raducanu fired a 108-mph ace out wide to seal the match.
"The match point, I don't think I made one serve out wide in the whole match, to be honest. I was, like, 'If I'm going to make it, this is going to be the time,'" she said with a smile worth $2.5 million—the amount she collected in US Open prize money.
"I literally drove my legs up to that ball toss like never before. Yeah, I landed it. Just disbelief, trying to take everything in.
"The atmosphere was absolutely incredible today. The amount of fans and spectators in the crowd, I was very surprised by the turnout, to be honest. But I was really loving just playing in front of the crowd and fans again."
Montgomery's big day: After taking out junior world No. 1 Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva in the quarterfinals, and coming from a set down in the semis, the American dismissed No. 6 seed Kristina Dmitruk, 6-2, 6-4, in the girls' singles final. Back on Court 12 a few hours later, she teamed with Krueger to win an all-U.S. doubles final, 5-7, 6-4, [10-4], against Reese Brantmeier and Elvina Kalieva.
“To be honest, when I came [to the tournament] I was just trying to make it past the second round,” Montgomery told reporters with a laugh after a long day of tennis. “I wasn’t picturing getting both, but here I am. Hopefully I can take it to the next level.”
Montgomery and Krueger also competed in the women's doubles event at the US Open, where they reached the second round before falling to Leylah Fernandez and parter Erin Routliffe. Both Americans have also been wild-card entrants in the women's singles draw, Montgomery in 2020 and Krueger this year.
Krawczyk, Salisbury win mixed doubles title: On a big day for Great Britain, Joe Salisbury won his second US Open doubles title in as many days. Teaming with American Desirae Krawczyk, he followed up his men's title with a mixed trophy. The winning duo beat Giuliana Olmos and Marcelo Arevalo, 7-5, 6-2.
Despiute the loss, Arevalo made history as the first player from El Salvador to compete in a Grand Slam final.
Wheelchair Grand Slam: There was more British brilliance in the wheelchair men's doubles final. One day before Novak Djokovic attempts to complete the feat in men's singles, the team of Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid completed the Grand Slam in their discipline with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Gustavo Fernandez and Shingo Kunieda.
Quote of the Day: “I hope I can be as strong and resilient as New York has been the past 20 years. Thank you for always having my back, thank for cheering for me, I love you New York and hope to see you next year.” —Leylah Fernandez took a moment to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of 9/11 as she addressed the crowd during the trophy ceremony
Tweet of the Day: A message from Queen Elizabeth...
Photo of the Day: Female cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point unfurl the American flag during the 9/11 observance prior to the women's singles final.
