The US Open women’s semifinals pit seeded stars against free-swinging teenagers as all four players seek their first appearance in a Grand Slam final.
On Thursday night, No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka takes on Canadian 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez in the first of the semis before 17th seed Maria Sakkari attempts to stop the irresistible run of 18-year-old Brit Emma Raducanu.
No woman had advanced to multiple major semifinals in 2021 until Sabalenka and Sakkari both bucked that trend in New York.
READ MORE: Sabalenka "really proud" after reaching US Open semifinals
Given their comparative experience at the pointy end of Grand Slam tournaments, they are favoured to end the thrilling runs of their teenaged opponents.
But Fernandez has developed a reputation as a giant-killer this fortnight, while at the same time Raducanu has built an eight-match, 16-set winning streak.
[2] Aryna Sabalenka v Leylah Fernandez
This match-up presents a magnificent contrast in styles in just about every area, especially given the physically imposing Sabalenka towers six inches above the slight, diminutive Fernandez.
It’s Sabalenka’s first-strike force and electrifying power against Fernandez’s timing and tactics.
It’s right-hander (Sabalenka) versus left-hander (Fernandez).
And it’s the world No.2 against the world No.73.
Sabalenka’s progression to the semifinals here makes sense, given her excellent 2021 season – she has won a tour-best 43 matches – and recent appearance in the Wimbledon semifinals.
But despite her favouritism, she is wary of her young opponent, having monitored her progress in New York.
“She's playing well, moving well. I would say it's nothing to lose for her. She's a great player. She's fighting for every point. The crowd are there and they are supporting her really loud,” Sabalenka observed after her quarterfinal win over Barbora Krejcikova.
“I was practising today and we didn't really need to watch the score because we heard, like, the crowd really yelling.
“It will be an interesting one. Really looking forward for this match.”
Fernandez had never before gone beyond the third round at a major and arrived at the US Open having lost 11 of her previous 20 matches.
But her game has caught fire at Flushing Meadows, making her a crowd favourite with thrilling wins over Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber and Elina Svitolina.
She next sets her sights on Sabalenka, hoping to take down a sixth consecutive current or former top-20 player.
“I've imagined myself playing on every tournament, every Grand Slam, at the biggest stage,” Fernandez said.
“When I was younger, since I used Justine Henin as a great example, I would imagine myself playing against her. I would also imagine myself playing against Serena and Venus, and the past few years playing against Osaka in a big tournament.
“I've always seen myself being in a big stadium in front of so many people and just having fun on the court.”
[17] Maria Sakkari v [Q] Emma Raducanu
Like Fernandez, Sakkari has cut down some incredible opposition to arrive at this point of the tournament.
The Greek star’s serve, fitness, intensity and mental strength have come together brilliantly, and in her past three matches, she has ousted top-10 seeds Petra Kvitova, Bianca Andreescu and Karolina Pliskova.
Given her tough path through the draw, Sakkari says she feels she deserves to be in the semifinals – but acknowledges the same can be said of Raducanu.
“She's a new player on tour so I don't know much about her. Obviously she's having the tournament of her life,” Sakkari said of the 18-year-old Brit.
“I wouldn't call myself the favourite. I think we all have equal chances of winning the semifinals and then winning the title. We are all for a reason here. We're all playing well.”
World No.150 Raducanu is playing particularly well, having started in the qualifying rounds to become one of the unlikeliest semifinalists in Grand Slam history.
She is the only one of the four remaining players yet to drop a set, and her confidence is soaring after winning 21 of her last 26 matches.
RADUCANU: "My flights were booked at the end of qualifying"
“Let's say I have a hunger to win every single match I play, so I don't want to get ahead of myself at all, because I just like to take it one day at a time,” she said.
“If I take care of what I can control, then that's going to give me the best chance.
“It's got me to this stage, and I'm not going to change anything.”