Fernandez stuns frustrated Osaka to reach round of 16 at US Open
WTASaturday, 04 September 2021 at 13:47
The atmosphere in Arthur Ashe stadium was electric on Friday night, as Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez shocked the tennis world by ousting defending champion Naomi Osaka in their third round encounter at the 2021 US Open.
The 18-year old displayed focus and determination that was reminiscent of Osaka herself, rallying from a set down to score a 5-7 7-6(2) 6-4 victory over the Japanese superstar.
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With neither competitor caving early in the match, Osaka dug deep to snatch the first set from her younger opponent. The third seed obtained a crucial break in the second set, and even served for the match at 6-5. However, a resilient Fernandez fought back, pushing the set to a tiebreak. It was here that Osaka began to unravel, making uncharacteristic errors that led to her tossing her racket to the ground in frustration. This drew the ire of the crowd, with some booing the two-time champion. Nonetheless, Fernandez remained unaffected, maintaining her composure to claim the second set.
To everyone's surprise, the World No.73 obtained an early break in the final set to lead 2-0. The Canadian never looked back, engaging with Osaka in long rallies that the former World No.1 was unable to maintain. With so much pressure on her shoulders, Fernandez was able to serve out the match, leaping in joy as Osaka's final forehand sailed long.
The Canadian teenager will face another left-handed player in the round of 16, as Angelique Kerber defeated Sloane Stephens in a clash between former US Open champions.
Growing up in a household where soccer was king, my earliest memories are filled with chants from packed stadiums and the rhythm of a ball being passed across neighborhood streets. But somewhere along the way, the quiet elegance and raw emotion of tennis pulled me in. What began as a curiosity became a lifelong passion; not just for the sport itself, but for the stories it tells: of grit, of heartbreak, of improbable comebacks and human resilience.
As a tennis writer, I bring the observational lens of someone who didn’t grow up in the sport, but fell in love with it as an outsider; a perspective that lets me see both its technical beauty and its emotional depth. Over the years working with TennisUpToDate, I’ve had the privilege of reaching more than 3.5 million readers worldwide, with one of my features ranking among the site’s top three articles.
With a background in storytelling and a creative mind always searching for meaning beyond the scoreboard, I aim to craft narratives that go deeper than results and rankings. Whether it’s a rising star breaking through or a veteran fighting off Father Time, I try to capture the heartbeat behind the headlines.
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mandoist08-09-2026 - Don't lay this shitshow on "Americans". It is a long-running Ego trip with WTA allowing these two Elitists 'in need of a Camera' illicit Wildcards. If these two clowns want to "perform" -- then play the qualies.mandoist08-09-2026
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