Leylah Fernandez continued her incredible run through the US Open draw as she edged past fifth seed Elina Svitolina 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) in two hours, 27 minutes in the quarterfinals on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

For the first time since the second round, the 18-year old won the opening set only to watch as Svitolina rallied to take the second. The deciding third set saw Fernandez go up a break with the Ukraninian rallying to force a tiebreaker.

The breaker, like the match, was close throughout with Fernandez pulling through to upset her third straight high-profile opponent after victories over defending champion Naomi Osaka and 2016 champion Angelique Kerber.

The Canadian will next face second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals as she aims to become the second woman from her country to reach the championship match in Flushing Meadows.

Canadian teen into semifinals after third straight gripping victory

Both women were holding with relative ease as the set moved into its middle stages. Fernandez was the first to have break chances, taking her second with a screaming forehand just inside the baseline for a 4-2 lead.

Serving for the set, the ninth game was a battle, a backhand by the world number 73 bringing up a second set point and a backhand error by Svitolina giving the 18-year the early lead.

The second set was dominated by the returner, Svitolina breaking on a Fernandez backhand error to go in front 3-1 and a second break stretched her advantage to 5-1. 

Svitolina hits a forehand during her quarterfinal loss/Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images

Although the Canadian would retrieve one of the breaks, the fifth seed staved off three break points while leading 5-3 and won the set with an ace out wide to level the match.

Three straight breaks midway through the final set gave Fernandez a 5-2 lead, but Svitolina rallied and a swinging forehand volley winner brought her back on serve.

Both women would hold and a tiebreaker would decide this quarterfinal. The breaker teetered back and forth and with the score at 5-5, Fernandez struck a forehand winner to bring up match point.

A wide serve by the Canadian was met by a final backhand long from Svitolina as Fernandez claimed the win in an epic two hour, 27 minute contest to reach the last four.

Fernandez won her third straght three-set match to clinch a semifinal berth/Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images
VAVEL Logo
About the author