After taking out defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round, Canadian Leylah Fernandez continued her remarkable US Open run with a 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 victory over 2016 title winner Angelique Kerber to make the quarterfinals.
The teenager proved that her upset of Osaka was no fluke. The unseeded left-hander worked her way back from a 4-2 deficit in the second set, edged the tiebreak and took the last five games of the match to see off Kerber, who entered the match with more Grand Slam and US Open match wins than any other player in the draw.
Fernandez will next face fifth seed Elina Svitolina, who eliminated Simona Halep 6-3 6-3 and is now on a nine-match winning streak, having triumphed in Chicago ahead of the US Open.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka overcame ten double faults to defeat Elise Mertens 6-4 6-1, with whom she won the 2019 US Open doubles title. Sabalenka’s quarterfinal opponent will be reigning French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova, as the Czech beat Garbine Muguruza 6-3 7-6(4) during the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Congratulations to Leylah! I love the energy in this teenager who constantly is pumping her fist and bouncing the ball with her racket before she serves. BTW, today is her 19th birthday Ms. Fernandez! Good luck against Svitolina.
Wishing you great success today! I know you can win. You are already a fantastic athlete. Take care