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Why Emma Raducanu, Leylah Fernandez made things exciting after Serena and Venus Williams. AO DIRECTOR

Craig Tiley explains why he was so pleased to see new names like Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez having such a great run at the recent US Open.

Mark Hall

23 November 2021

Emma Raducanu and Leylah Annie Fernandez are going to be among the top names to watch at the upcoming Australian Open in January. The 2 teenagers were part of a fantastic US Open final conquered by Raducanu after a fantastic fight.

Crag Tiley on Raducanu and Fernanrdez

The director of the Australian Open, Craig Tiley, expressed his happiness in seeing the blossoming of the new generation. Of course, Craig was elated to witness the greatness of top players such as Serena and Venus Williams alongside Maria Sharapova, but he is also positively surprised by the ascent of the new generation.

During a recent podcast, Tiley commented:

“Yeah, there’s always a transition. We’ve enjoyed 15 years of these established champions. Serena and Venus [Williams] on the women’s side and Maria Sharapova who’s just recently retired. And then, on the men’s side, Roger and Rafa, but the gap between those greats and the young players are now close,” commented Tiley.

“That’s somewhere like Emma Raducanu beat Leylah Fernandez at the finals of the US Open. These were two names that people didn’t know about. In 2019, Leylah Fernandez was in the finals in AO juniors. So, it’s gonna be really exciting- both tours men and women, particularly, in the women’s side. I think it’s gonna be more open,” he added.

Emma Raducanu in 2021

Currently ranked no.19 (career-high), Raducanu played her last match on the 9^th of November when she lost to world no.99 Xin Yu Wang 6-1 6-7(0) 7-5 in the 2^nd round in Linz (draw).

Presently, during this year Raducanu has achieved an overall 25-9 match record. Emma has won 1 title at the U.S. Open. Emma got to the final in the Chicago.

Linz

Raducanu's Record

Leylah Annie Fernandez in 2021

Ranked world no.24 (career-high), Leylah Annie played her last match on the 12^th of October when she surrendered to world no.40 Shelby Rogers 2-6 6-1 7-6(4) in the 4^th round in Indian Wells (draw).

Presently, during this year Fernandez has managed to achieve a 25-17 match record. Leylah Annie conquered 1 title in Monterrey. Fernandez reached the final at the U.S. Open.

Indian Wells

Fernandez's Record

Emma Raducanu and Leylah Annie Fernandez faced off only once. Their current record is 1-0 for Raducanu. When they played, Emma Raducanu won 6-4 6-3 in the final in New York (U.S. Open) on the 11^th of September 2021.

Here the highlights.