'This is crazy': Tennis world in shock over teen havoc at US Open
The tennis world is in disbelief as three 18-year-old rising superstars have stolen the headlines at this year's US Open.
On the weekend, British teen Emma Raducanu produced a sublime performance to defeat Spaniard Sorribes Tormo 6-0, 6-1 in 70 minutes.
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Raducanu became the youngest British woman to advance to round four of the US Open since 2012 and is set to take on Shelby Rogers after the American defeated Ash Barty.
On Monday, Naomi Osaka conquerer, Canadian Leylah Fernandez came from behind to defeat three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2.
The 18-year-old set up a mouth-watering quarter-final showdown with Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals.
And not long after Fernandez's victory, Spanish 18-year-old backed up his win over World No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas to defeat Peter Gojowzyyk in another five set thriller 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 6-0.
The Spaniard, who was referred to by Fernandez herself as the 'right-handed' Rafael Nadal, showed incredible steel in the final set to runaway with the match.
His win made him the youngest US Open men's quarter-finalist since Brazilian Thomaz Koch in 1963.
The trio have made history, with the last US Open to feature at least one man and woman 18 years old or under in the Round of 16 dates back to 1998.
To make it more impressive, the last grand slam to feature at least one man and woman 18 years old or under in the Round of 16 was the Australian Open in 2005.
And Monday's results for both Alcaraz and Fernandez, reaching the quarter-final, sent the tennis world into a spin.
18-year-olds are doing grown-up things at this #USOpen, with Carlos Alcaraz joining Leylah Fernandez in the quarterfinals.
Alcaraz beat Gojowczyk in 5;
Fernandez beat Kerber in 3.— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 6, 2021
Nothing more exciting in tennis than when a prodigy breaks through in the big time. Today, 18-year-olds Leylah Fernandez and Carlos Alcaraz, stretched to the distance, move on to the quarterfinals. @usopen
— Charles McNulty (@CharlesMcNulty) September 6, 2021
Has been quite a day for 18-year-olds at the US Open...
Leylah Fernandez defeated (3) Naomi Osaka to secure her first win over a top-3 ranked player.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated (3) Stefanos Tsitsipas to become youngest men's player to reach US Open Round of 16 since 1989. pic.twitter.com/BJ9HmlMKOx— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 4, 2021
18 years olds taking over the #USOpen and I am here for it. Leylah Fernandez and Alcaraz making it so fun to watch
— Manish Kenkre (@ManishKenkre) September 6, 2021
Can’t remember watching a grand slam with as many emerging talents as this #USOpen. From Alcaraz to Raducanu to Fernandez, suddenly the sport looks the most exciting it’s been in years – and without all-time greats like Federer, Nadal, Serena and Venus Williams. #tennis
— adam altogether (@adamaltogether) September 5, 2021
This is amazing #USOpen so far!!! The young guns are making themselves heard!! Fernandez, Alcaraz, Van De Zandschulp all making an impact taking out big names so far!!!
— Alex Strazza (@Galaxy_Riders) September 5, 2021
18 year olds causing havoc this year! #Fernandez #Raducanu #Alcaraz #USOpen
— Aidan Linning (@ajlinning) September 5, 2021
There’s an innocence/naïveté to the performances of Brooksby, Fernandez, Alcaraz, and Raducanu that make them such a joy to watch
It’s like no one told them they’re supposed to struggle a bit before having this type of success. Four players that TRULY love of the game#USOpen— Alex Gruskin (@GreatShotPod) September 5, 2021
Alcaraz and Fernandez on court representing teenagers all over the world #USOpen
— MO (@kmar_NY) September 5, 2021
This year’s @usopen will be known in the future as the ‘coming of age for the eighteen year olds’: Carlos Alcaraz, Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez #USOpen
— Anne-Marie Batson (@AnnemarieBatson) September 5, 2021
Emma Raducanu set for US Open history
Following her remarkable fourth round win at the US Open, the British teen commented on the success of 18 year olds at the grand slam.
"I think we all inspire each other to play better," she said of Fernandez and Alcaraz.
"Because for me today, I wanted to join them in the 2nd week as well, so that was an extra bit of motivation."
The 18-year-old Raducanu, who burst onto the scene earlier this year by reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon in her first Grand Slam appearance, was utterly dominant against Sorribes Tormo.
Raducanu, who came to New York ranked 150th in the world, has breezed through all three of her matches without dropping a set and won a hugely impressive 79 per cent of her first-serve points while smashing 23 winners past her hapless opponent.
She now faces Shelby, who shocked the tennis world after defeating World No.1 Aussie Barty.