brand-logo
Latest
NFLNBACollege Football

More

Newsletters

Think Tank

AllLatestNewsletter HubES ThinkTankNFLGolfCollege FootballMLBCollege BasketballNBANASCARWNBATennisBoxingOlympicsUFCSwimmingTrack and FieldGymnasticsSoccer
Home/Tennis

“Giant Slayer Continues” – Magic Johnson and Tennis Twitter Go Berserk After Leylah Fernandez Win at US Open 2021

BySanket Nair

Sep 9, 2021 | 10:45 PM EDT

Link Copied!
Home/Tennis

“Giant Slayer Continues” – Magic Johnson and Tennis Twitter Go Berserk After Leylah Fernandez Win at US Open 2021

BySanket Nair

Sep 9, 2021 | 10:45 PM EDT

Link Copied!
feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

feature-image

USA Today via Reuters

Canadian teenage sensation Leylah Fernandez faces second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals of the US Open today. Although the Belarusian was the highest seed still in the tournament, Fernandez’s giant-killing form has been nothing short of exceptional.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

In an intense three-set battle, both players gave it everything to reach their first Grand Slam final. Ultimately, Fernandez prevailed to pull off another stunning upset in New York. The final scoreline read 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-4. This sent Twitter into a frenzy, as fans and celebrities from around the world reacted to one of the biggest upsets of the US Open.

ADVERTISEMENT

Leylah Fernandez draws massive reactions on Twitter following semifinal victory

With the first set tied 6-6 after a back-and-forth battle, the set went to a tie-breaker. With the score 3-3, Fernandez powered her way to score four points in a row to take the first set 7-6 (7-3).

During the match, Sabalenka also found time to destroy a racket to vent her frustration.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although Sabalenka won the second set 6-4, Fernandez broke the second seed’s serve in the 10th game to record a historic victory, and seal her first appearance in a Grand Slam final.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports

Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports

Twitter took a liking to this result, with Canadian Olympian Christine Sinclair congratulating the 19-year-old. Other stars and public figures from around the world, which featured Magic Johnson, followed suit.

Top Stories

Tennis World Grieves After Tragic Incident at Bondi Beach, Australia

ATP Forced Into Action After Players Raise Serious On-Court Safety Concerns

Stefanos Tsitsipas Breaks Silence As Family Twist Emerges in Serious Off-Court Drama

Nick Kyrgios’ Australian Open Wildcard Hangs in the Balance as Uncertainty Looms Large

Novak Djokovic Makes a Bold Coaching Move As He Looks the Challenge Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner in 2026

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Leylah Fernandez Matches Multiple Records Including Maria Sharapova, Eugenie Bouchard and Others

Fernandez to face Emma Raducanu or Maria Sakkari in the final

The second semifinal between Raducanu and Sakkari follows this match in the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The winner will face the 19-year-old Canadian, who seems unbeatable at this point.

article-image

USA Today via Reuters

Regardless of who her opponent is, Fernandez established she will be no pushover in the final at the Ashe. Can she end her run in New York with a maiden Grand Slam victory?

WATCH STORY: Breathtaking Tennis From 18-Year-Old Sensation at US Open 2021

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

logo

EssentiallySports is the home for the underserved fan, delivering storytelling that goes beyond the headlines. As a media platform, we combine deep audience insights with cultural trends, to meet fandom where it lives and where it goes next. Founded in 2014, EssentiallySports now engages with an audience of over 30m+ American sports fan on its website and 1m+ readers on its newsletters daily.

Sports

Sports

Full Spectrum Services LLP © 2025 | All Rights Reserved