Emma Raducanu stunned eleventh seed Belinda Bencic 6-3 6-4 and became the only qualifier in history — man or woman — to reach the US Open semifinals.
Facing a Top 20 opponent for the first time, the world No.150 Raducanu made a nervous start as Bencic opened their quarterfinal with a 2-0 lead. The 18-year-old Brit quickly found her range and broke back to level at 3-3. Bencic, who had dropped serve just three times en route to the quarterfinals, was broken by Raducanu twice more, as the underdog made her way to the semis.
Raducanu was ranked outside of Top 350 in the beginning of June. She entered Wimbledon as a wildcard, ranked No.338, and reached the fourth round. Now she’s projected to rise to No.51 and become the new British No.1.
The teenager already has massive star power. The latest confirmation of her celebrity status is the British Vogue photoshoot where she poses in clothes designed by Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen and Dior.
