Dad’s the way for Leylah

Canadian teen Fernandez credits quarter-final win over fifth seed Elina Svitolina to father Jorge’s pre-match strategy of fighting for every point; Medvedev enters semis

Russian second seed Daniil Medvedev advanced to his third straight US Open semi-final on Tuesday while Canadian Leylah Fernandez, 19, delivered another stunner to reach the Last Four of a Grand Slam for the first time. Fernandez, who had already ousted defending champion Naomi Osaka and three-time Slam winner Angelique Kerber, defeated Ukraine’s fifth-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5). 

‘No idea what I’m feeling’

“I honestly have no idea what I’m feeling right now,” Fernandez said moments after the victory. “I told myself to trust my shots. Even if I lose, I’ve got to go for it. And I’m glad I did.” Fernandez, ranked 73rd, was inspired by pre-match strategy from her father/coach Jorge, a former Ecuadoran football player. “He told me to go out and have fun, fight for every point,” she said.  “It’s your first Grand Slam quarter-final. Don’t make it your last. Don’t make it your last match over here. Fight for your dream.”

Elina Svitolina reacts after losing a point during her match against Leylah Fernandez on Tuesday (right) Daniil Medvedev during his 6-3, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5  win over Botic van de Zandschulp on Tuesday

Medvedev, chasing his first Slam title, eliminated 117th-ranked Dutch qualifier Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I just want to do a little bit better than the last two times and get this extra step, which is the toughest one, actually,” Medvedev said. The 25-year-old from Moscow was a 2019 US Open runner-up and lost this year’s Australian Open final to top-ranked Novak Djokovic, who seeks his fourth US Open title to complete the first men’s singles calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.

Medvedev moved one victory from a possible championship match against Djokovic. “I don’t think about him, because as we saw, anybody can beat anybody,” Medvedev said. “If he’s in the final, and if I’m there, I’m happy. He’s also happy, I guess.” 

Alcaraz retires hurt

Medvedev is assured of playing a first-time Slam semi-finalist next, Canadian 12th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. Spanish teen Carlos Alcaraz, the youngest US Open quarter-finalist in 58 years, was forced to retire from his match Tuesday at the US Open with a right adductor injury. Canada’s Auger-Aliassime led 6-3, 3-1 when Alcaraz, 18, retired from the match, sending his 21-year-old rival into his first Slam semi-final against Medvedev. Medvedev won his only meeting with Auger-Aliassime in Canada in 2018.

Jorge Fernandez

Fernandez booked a semi-final matchup against second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who defeated Czech eighth seed and reigning French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 6-4. “She’s playing well,” Sabalenka said of Fernandez.  “She’s moving well and the crowd cheers for her. I’d say nothing to lose for this one.” Sabalenka matched her deepest Slam run from July at Wimbledon with a WTA-best 43rd match win of 2021.

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