‘What a performance… what a future’: Social media erupts as British teenage sensation Emma Raducanu reaches US Open semi-finals after another stunning victory
- Emma Raducanu soared through to the semi-finals of the US Open with her win
- She defeated Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 6-3, 6-4 in straight sets
- In doing so she became the first qualifier to advance to this stage at the Open
- She will face either Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova, the fourth seed, or No 17 seed Maria Sakkari in the last four on Friday morning, 2am BST
Social media erupted with praise for Britain’s new tennis star Emma Raducanu after she marched her way to the semi-finals of the US Open.
After a stunning victory over Shelby Rogers in the last round, she was given another tough test in Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic.
Yet it was another hurdle she overcame as she clawed her way back from 3-1 down against the Swiss player, ranked 11th in the world, to win decisively 6-3, 6-4.
Emma Raducanu took another stunning win to make the semi-finals of the US Open
Ranked 150th in the world, Raducanu follows tennis legend Billie Jean King and 2009 champion Kim Clijsters as the only women outside the top 100 of the rankings to reach the US Open semi-finals.
BBC presenter Gary Lineker tweeted: ‘What a performance. What a triumph. What a future. 18-year-old @emmaraducanu is through to the semi-finals of the US Open. Stunning. Well played.’
Fellow presenter Clare Balding wrote: “Wow wow wow. Emma Raducanu what a star you are. I watched with my lovely neighbours and have shouted myself hoarse.’
She became the first qualifier to reach the semi-final stage of the tournament
British tennis player Katie Boulter made it no secret who she wanted to see in the final tweeting: ‘Anyone else love to see a Raducanu vs (Leyla) Fernandez final.’
Laura Robson commented: ‘Ridiculously impressive performance (again!). Massive well done to Emma and her team.’
Noel Gallagher also offered his support tweeting: ‘Congratulations to Emma Raducanu c’mon.’
Retired tennis star Greg Rusedski praised her performance and cancelling out Bencic’s threat as he said: ‘What a performance from @EmmaRaducanu to become the 1st qualifier to make the @usopen semifinals.
‘She broke down the Bencic forehand and has a real chance to win her 1st major. Wow! The journey continues tomorrow.’
While Piers Morgan described her as ‘the real deal’ as he wrote: ‘She’s on fire again… destroying another far higher ranked player in the US Open…@EmmaRaducanu is the real deal – a tennis superstar in the making. So exciting to watch.
Raducanu is now left awaiting the winner of Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova, the fourth seed, and number 17 seed Maria Sakkari, on Thursday night.
The win takes her to the brink of the world’s top 50 and will make her officially the British No 1, having started Wimbledon ranked 338.
