FILIPINO-CANADIAN tennis sensation Leylah Fernandez took down world no. 5, Elina Svitolina, in a thrilling three-setter in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5), to advance to the semifinals of the 2021 US Open women’s singles tournament on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 (Philippine time), at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.

Just 19 years of age, Fernandez showed incredible poise beyond her years as she broke a 5-5 deadlock in the tiebreaker in the third set with a great forehand shot. She then closed out the match with a service winner to grab the win in a two hours and 24 minutes.

Fernandez said she just had to trust herself during the tiebreak.

“Just to trust myself,” said Fernandez. “Svitolina, she’s a great player. She fought for everything, she runs for everything. She deserves to be in the quarterfinals. And I’m honored to be in a fight with her. So, I told myself to trust my shots. Trust that everything’s got to go well, even if I’m gonna lose, just go for it. And I’m glad I did.”

Fernandez will be taking on the winner of the match between the second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka and Barbora Krejcikova. (SunStar Philippines)