The crowd-pleasing Canadian teenager has knocked out a string of big names on her way to the last fourLeylah Fernandez of Canada sets up match point with a forehand against Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in a third set tiebreaker at the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in Flushing, New York, on Tuesday. Picture: USA TODAY SPORTS/ GEOFF BURKE
On Tuesday, it was fifth seed Elina Svitolina’s turn to be sent packing by the 19-year-old’s racket, Fernandez winning a quarterfinal nail-biter 6-3 3-6 7-6 on the sport’s biggest stage, Arthur Ashe Stadium. Her natural enthusiasm combined with a fearlessness and attacking style have made her a Flushing Meadows darling. Her fan club continues to grow, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NBA-great Magic Johnson congratulating and praising her on social media.