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It’s a clash of the teenagers in the US Open final, as UK girl springs surprise

Emma Raducanu

British teenager Emma Raducanu stormed her way into the US Open final as her stunning rise continued with an incredible straight-set win over Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari on Friday in New York.

The 18-year-old Raducanu, who has just passed out of school, extended her dream run with a dominating 6-1 6-4 victory in the semifinal.  She will now play another teenager Leylah Fernandez, who has also sprung a surprise by reaching the finals after wiping out top seeded players. 

After confidently driving home a volley to win her match point, Raducanu dropped her racquet on the court and covered her mouth with both hands reflecting her utter disbelief at the spectacular outcome.

"The time in New York has gone so quickly, I've been taking care of each day and three weeks later I'm in the final. I actually can't believe it," Raducanu said with a beaming smile.

Raducanu has scripted history by becoming the first British woman in a major singles final in 44 years and also the first to reach a US Open final in 53 years. Before her only Virginia Wade had won the Wimbledon final in 1977 and played in the US Open final in 1968.

She had actually booked her tickets to fly back home at the end of the qualifiers, not expecting to make it to the main playing rounds of the tournament!

Radacunu has a Romanian father and a Chinese mother. She was born in Toronto and the family moved to England when she was a two-year-old.

After coming through three qualifying matches to reach the main draw, she has not dropped a set in any of her nine matches at Flushing Meadows.

Before she made it to the last 16 at Wimbledon earlier this year, Raducanu was ranked 336th in the world.

This win puts her on the verge of the top 30 after already being assured of becoming the British women's number one by reaching the last four at the US Open.

The teenager will now get a shot at winning the prestigious US Open title when she faces Canadian 19-year-old world number 73 Fernandez on Saturday.