Leylah Fernandez admits her rise hasn’t gone as hoped following her outstanding 2021 US Open run but also highlights that she is still very young and determined to reach the biggest heights.
Just over three years ago, then-the 18-year-old Canadian entered the US Open ranked at No. 77 in the world and she absolutely wasn’t regarded as a contender for the title or someone who could make a deep run at Flushing Meadows that year. But when the tournament started, the Canadian completed a couple of upset wins over Grand Slam winners and star players. That list includes Naomi Osaka (3R), Angelique Kerber (R16), Elina Svitolina (QF) and Aryna Sabalenka (SF).
Unfortunately for Fernandez, her fairytale run wasn’t capped off with the title after Emma Raducanu – who was also 18 at the time – handed her a 6-4 6-3 loss in the final. That year, the Briton was a qualifier and she made history becoming the first-ever qualifier to win a Major.
Following the 2021 US Open final, both the Canadian and Raducanu were tipped to do major great things and quickly establish themselves as one of the best in the game. But so far, it hasn’t happened for either of the two.
When it specifically comes to Fernandez, she has won two WTA 250 titles since and her only notable at the Grand Slam level since…
