US Open 2021 Women's Final Key Stats: Emma Raducanu vs Leylah Fernandez

Women’s tennis continues to surprise the odds. As a Canadian and a Brit step on the hardcourts in New York City, the whole world awaits a new grand slam champion. Tennis fans would be in a tizzy about their predictions for the big US Open final between Emma Raducanu (18) and Leylah Fernandez (19). 

SportCo explores how the numbers can make a big difference as a brutal battle lights up Flushing Meadows

Emma Raducanu vs Leylah Fernandez: Who has the edge

What gives Emma Raducanu the edge over Leylah Fernandez?

Having not lost a set yet in the US Open, Raducanu has blitzed past the tough draw. The Brit has featured in 3 rounds of qualifying plus 6 main draw matches over the fortnight. 

Indeed, she has not faced a top-10 ranked player yet. However, the 18-year-old defeated 11th seed Belinda Bencic 6-3 6-4 in the quarterfinal. Bencic, the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist ran out of answers against Emma's aggressive returns. 

The British star’s momentum continued when she blew away the 17th seed Maria Sakkari 6-1 6-4 in the semifinals. Sakkari, the French Open 2021 semifinalist, struggled with her second serve (took only 34% of points). 

Emma Raducanu was on song as she clinched 69% of her second serve points and won 90% of points at the net. Interestingly, the teen’s unforced error count and winners were 17 each. 

“Accuracy and Power-hitting” are the ideal terms to use for Raducanu’s rise. She is also the first qualifier to make it to the finals of a major. 3 months ago, the Brit was languishing at 366 in the WTA Rankings. She will break into the top 100 after the finals. 

The numbers reveal how Emma is breaking records (she is the first British woman to reach a grand slam final and a US Open final in 44 and 53 years respectively. 

Leylah Fernandez: A nightmare to the higher-ranked players

The Canadian teen is living her dream in New York City. Leylah also got the best birthday gift (on September 6) by outlasting ex-World number 1 Angelique Kerber in 3 sets in the pre-quarterfinals. 

The 19-year-old has shown fearlessness against the top pros. Even the 5th seed Elina Svitolina who serves consistently was taken down in a narrow 3-setter. The Ukrainian ended up on the losing side despite winning more points (99) than Fernandez’s 97. 

However, a thrilling victory against the second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals was impressive. Leylah Fernandez handled the hard-hitting of the Belarusian with a better second serve. Sabalenka’s first-strike tennis went haywire as she hit 45 winners and made 52 unforced errors. 

Likewise, the Canadian just took 2 more points (99) than Sabalenka (97) this time. After 2 hours and 21 minutes of jaw-dropping entertainment, the World number 73 fell on the ground at the end of the last rally. She kept her hands on her face and beamed even as her team and the crowd went crazy.

Emma Raducanu vs Leylah Fernandez: US Open Final: Who calls the shots?

In terms of one-sided domination, Emma Raducanu has the upper hand. But, Leylah Fernandez has eliminated the big names, proved her stamina on the court and the southpaw has played long matches. 

Emma can force the opponents to think with a clever mix of shots. Interestingly, the Brit overcame the 11th seeded Canadian 6-2 6-4 in the 2nd round of the Wimbledon 2018 juniors. 

With a whopping $2.5 million prize money on grabs for the winner, Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez will stake a claim in the history books. 

So dear tennis buffs, who are your loyalties with for welcoming a maiden grand slam champ? The Brit aged 18 or the 19-year-old Canadian? Do publish your viewpoints below.