Emma Raducanu vs Maria Sakkari LIVE REACTION: Raducanu into US Open FINAL following incredible straight sets win

BROMLEY'S FINEST

Comedian Rob Beckett has sent a message of congratulations to fellow Bromley native Emma Raducanu, claiming she is now second in the pecking order of Bromley alumni, just behind David Bowie.

High praise indeed. Though surely Bradley from Eastenders could be nudged up a place.

METEORIC RISE

Emma Raducanu's former coach Matt James told Sky Sports that he and the team at the LTA never doubted Raducanu's potential to become a competitive tennis player, but that nobody saw this coming so soon.

"We were waiting for a breakthrough, but didn't think it would be this quick."

The 18-year-old not long ago completed her A-Levels and reportedly chose to focus on her education for much of her teenage years, at the expense of competing more heavily on the national tennis circuit.

SOUNDS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD

Emma Raducanu is unbeaten in 18 straight sets at the US Open through qualifying and the main draw and could become the first player to get 2,000 points from a single tournament if she wins tomorrow.

If you hold a record of some description, watch out, because Emma Raducanu's probably going to break it at some point soon.

A win tomorrow would see Raducanu skyrocket up the WTA world rankings, as well as earning a colossal £1.8million in prize money.

A ROYAL MESSAGE

The Duchess of Cambridge has posted a message on Instagram in support of Emma Raducanu.

The Duchess is reportedly a big tennis fan and is also a patron of the All England Tennis Club and Lawn Tennis Association.

It will likely be extra sweet for her to watch the first British woman to compete in a Grand Slam singles final in 44 years.

Sir Andy Murray has three Grand Slams to his name and with Emma competing in her first major final at the tender age of just 18, one would hope there are equally big things to come for the budding star.

Could we be speaking about Dame Emma Raducanu before long?

18 NOT OUT

Emma Raducanu has continued to make a name for herself after bursting onto the scene at Wimbledon and has been making a habit of breaking records through her participation at the US Open.

• First qualifier ever to reach a Grand Slam final.
• First British woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final for 44 years.
• Youngest Grand Slam singles finalist since 2004.
• 18 straight sets won through qualifying and main draw.

Very impressive stuff from the 18-year-old.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Emma Raducanu will take on Leylah Fernandez in the final of the US Open at approximately 21.20 GMT on Saturday and it's safe to say there'll be a few people watching...

The two teenagers will both compete in their first major singles final and will have the chance to put their names in the history books, but it's safe to assume that both parties will show impeccable sportsmanship throughout.

LIONESSES

England's Lionesses have sent their support to Emma Raducanu ahead of her US Open championship showdown against Leylah Fernandez tomorrow.

Raducanu is the first British woman to reach a major singles final in 44 and could be in with a chance of winning the £1.8million prize money.

She could also find herself in the top 50 in women's rankings according to the WTA.

THE GOAT...

An interesting new Twitter account has emerged claiming that Emma Raducanu is the 'GOAT'.

Some questionable photoshopping, but Raducanu will certainly have the chance to prove that she can go on to be one of the greats if she can go all the way and win the US Open tomorrow.

BRITS ABROAD

Seven-time Formula 1 world champ Lewis Hamilton has sent out a message of encouragement to his compatriot Emma Raducanu as she seeks to win her first ever Grand Slam at the US Open this weekend.

The 18-year-old beat Maria Sakkari in straight sets on Thursday to book her place in the final, where she'll face fellow teenager, 19-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez.

Raducanu also became the first qualifier in the Open era to reach the final of a major tournament.

The rising tennis star might be half Hamilton's age, but both will be gunning for victory this weekend as the Brits look to dominate on the world stage.

BILLION DOLLAR EMMA

According to marketing guru Mark Borkowski, Emma Raducanu could be on her way to becoming the first billion dollar female sports star.

"Potentially, I see her as a billion dollar girl," Borkowski told SunSport.

"She's everything that is really positive about the new icons that this age has got to throw up.

"In the conflicting culture wars, here we have someone who is young, incredibly talented, has a multi-cultural background, everything about her is what every brand would like to get their hands on right now.

"However, I feel the bubble will burst if she doesn't win tomorrow night."

SAKKARI SPEAKS

Greek world number 12 Maria Sakkari has spoken after she was beaten in straight sets yesterday by Emma Raducanu in the semi-final of thwe US Open.

And she has heaped praise on both Raducanu and her fellow finalist Leylah Fernandez.

Sakkari said: "They are both young. They play fearless. They have nothing to lose playing against us.

"I have to give credit to both of them, both of the young girls, that they take their chances. They're out there fighting for that title. Very well done to both for getting here."

ROUTE TO THE FINAL

Here’s a reminder of how Emma Raducanu reached the final of the US Open:

• Qualifier – 6-1, 6-2 vs Bibiane Schoofs
• Qualifier – 6-3, 7-5 vs Mariam Bolkvadze
• Qualifier – 6-1, 6-4 vs Mayar Sherif
• First Round – 6-2, 6-3 vs Stefanie Voegele
• Second Round – 6-2, 6-4 vs Zhang Shuai
• Third Round – 6-0, 6-1 vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
• Fourth Round – 6-2, 6-1 vs Shelby Rogers
• Quarter-Final – 6-3, 6-4 vs Belinda Bencic
• Semi-Final – 6-1, 6-4 vs Maria Sakkari
• Final – vs Leylah Fernandez

TEENAGE WINNER GUARANTEED

The winner of the women's 2020 US Open will be a TEENAGER.

18-year-old Emma Raducanu takes on Canada's Leylah Fernandez.

Fernandez herself is just 19-years-old, and also in the final ofd a Grand Slam for the first time.

Her previous best Grand Slam record was reaching the third round of the French Open in 2020.

NO FREE TO AIR FINAL

It was reported earlier that free-to-air broadcasters were in talks to try and show Emma Raducanu's US Open final free of charge.

But according to iNews that will not be the case.

Viewers wanting to watch Raducanu's historic final on Saturday night will have to be susbscribed to Amazon Prime to access the live pictures from the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

A highlights programme will then air on the BBC on Sunday afternoon.

ON THE RISE

Emma Raducanu could jump up 127 PLACES in the tennis world rankings.

If she wins tomorrow's US Open finally, she will end the tournament ranked 23rd in the world.

And if she loses she will be ranked 32 - which still a remarkable jump.

The 18-year-old began 2021 ranked 345th in the world, but her run to the fourth round at Wimbledon saw her shoot up to 179th in the world.

And she began the US Open ranked 150th, but is set to launch herself into the top 35 players in the world after her nine victories at Flushing Meadows.

CAN-U DO IT?

Emma Raducanu will become the tenth youngest Grand Slam champion in history with victory in the US Open final on Saturday.

If she wins, the British teenager will pick up her first major title aged 18 years and 302 days - achieving the feat sooner than several greats.

Roger Federer, for example, was 21 when he won the first of his 20 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon in 2003.

Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, was 20 when he first tasted major success at the Australian Open in 2008.

NO PRESSURE

Emma Raducanu has dismissed claims there is pressure on her to come away with victory in tomorrow's US Open final.

She said: "I’m a qualifier so there’s no pressure on me!

"Honestly the time here in New York has gone so fast, I’ve been taking care of each day and before you know it three weeks later I’m in the final, I can’t actually believe it.

"Since I’ve been here I’ve had great support.

"Playing under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium is one of the most iconic things in tennis. I was so excited."

RACING APPROVAL

F1 star Lewis Hamilton is another of a host of stars who have congratulated Emma Raducanu for reaching the US Open final.

The 18-year-old is a huge fan of F1, so Hamilton's message especially is sure to please her.

He wrote on Instagram: "This is amazing!!! We're all so proud of you. US Open, let's go, Emma."

STATS REMINDER

There's so many incredible stats about 18-year-old Emma Raducanu, you may have forgotten some of them.

Here they are as a reminder:

• Nine matches won at US Open (including qualifiers)
• Yet to drop a set (won 18 in a row)
• Youngest Grand Slam finalist since 2004
• Youngest US Open finalist since 1999
• First qualifier ever to reach a Grand Slam final
• First British woman in a major singles final in 44 years

BAGS OF PRAISE

Another previous Grand Slam finalist, Marcos Baghdatis, has praised Raducanu - even calling her an 'inspiration' to him.

He told Sky Sports: "I heard about her, but when I saw her play at Wimbledon, it was like a star was born.

"It's just an incredible story and tennis-wise, there is just nothing to say.

"She's doing everything very well and at this age, she still has so much space for improvement in her game but the most amazing thing was her personality, her smile, and the way she enjoyed the whole tournament.

"She was even an inspiration to me watching her. It's so nice to see somebody love the sport, smile, and play. Be free on the court.

"It's been a long time since we didn't see a person like that on the court."

'NATIONAL TREASURE'

Chris Southgate, Managing Director at CHS marketing agency, has also tipped Raducanu to be a marketing success.

He said: "Her tremendous performance, both at Wimbledon and now the US open, means that she has the opportunity to become the next big celebrity tennis player - as well as a role model for all British sport.

"No matter which [brand] direction she decides to embark on, the one safe bet is that she’s already well on her way to becoming a national treasure both on and off the court."

LIFE CHANGING

Popular culture and brand expert Nick Ede has predicted Emma Raducanu for global stardom off the back off her US Open success.

Ede told FEMAIL, via the Mail Online: "Emma will become a household name not only in the UK but in the USA and worldwide, which is a real game-changer.

"At only 18 she is now going to sky rocket both in the sports world but also as a celebrity. She now has the star power of crossover athletes like Serena Williams and Andy Murray. 

"She will have brands throwing themselves at her and it's now time for her to carefully decide which offers can be the most lucrative, brand appropriate, age appropriate and have the most longevity."

MORE TO COME

If the last all-teenage final at the US Open is anything to go by then Emma Raducanu is in for quite some career.

 A 17-year-old Serena Williams defeated Martina Hingis, 18, in the US Open final in 1999.

And since then the pair have gone on to win twenty-eight Grand Slam titles between them.

Could this be the first of many for Raducanu?

WHEN IS THE FINAL?

You won't want to miss it.

Emma Raducanu plays in the FINAL of the US Open tomorrow.

She's set to face Leylah Fernandez of Canada at Arthur Ashe stadium in New York.

The scheduled start for the all-teenage affair is 9pm (UK time).

RADUCANU REMINDER

Here’s a reminder of what Raducanu had to say after reaching the final of the US Open.

She exclaimed: “I can’t believe it. [It’s] a shock, crazy, all of the above.

“I wanted, obviously, to be playing Grand Slams but I didn’t know how soon that would be.

“To be in a Grand Slam final at this stage of my career, I have no words.”