19-Year-Old Leylah Fernandez Is Captivating U.S. Open Watchers

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Leylah Fernandez of Canada celebrates after winning her quarterfinals match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on Tuesday. The 19-year-old is the youngest woman in the U.S. Open semifinals in nearly two decades.

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Fernandez, the daughter of an Ecuadorian father and Filipino-Canadian mother, told ESPN she credits her dad for inspiration. He’s been coaching her since she was 6 years old.

«Today he told me to go out there, have fun, fight for every ball, fight for every point, she said. ‘Today’s your first quarterfinals, don’t make it your last. Don’t make it your last match over here. Fight for your dream.’ «

She’s already beat two former U.S. Open champions, and will face off against a third on Thursday, Aryna Sabalenka.

Watch highlights from her quarterfinal match here:

YouTube

Folks are taking notice:

That’s how you FIGHT!!!!!!!!!! Go on Leylah!!!!!!! @leylahfernandez https://t.co/cvr2GCzaGn

— sloanestephens (@SloaneStephens) September 7, 2021

WOW! Thank you @JustinTrudeau , proud to represent our country. It is an honor. ??? https://t.co/mD596QnBBR

— leylahfernandez (@leylahfernandez) September 8, 2021

If you haven’t seen the most exciting player at the US Open, 19-year old Leylah Fernandez, you’re truly missing out!! She just beat her 3rd ranked opponent and is on fire ??????. She’s captivating the world! @leylahfernandez

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 7, 2021

This story originally appeared on the Morning Edition live blog.