This year, Flushing Meadows, N.Y., looks North to find its stars.
Canadian youngsters Leylah Annie Fernandez and Felix Auger-Aliassime made history on Tuesday, reaching the 2021 US Open semifinals in the Women’s and Men’s singles tournament, respectively.
Following in the footsteps of fellow Canadian and 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu, Fernandez defeated No. 5 seed Elina Svitolina in a thrilling 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) contest. She’ll face World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the semis on Thursday.
On the men’s side, Auger-Aliassime took the first set against Carlos Alcaraz Garfia before the Spaniard retired with a right-adductor injury in the second set.
At the ages of 19 and 21, Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime have emerged as two of the most popular players on the tour, so it is only natural that social media gleefully celebrated their wins.
Fernandez’s victory over Svitolina was enough to send the internet into a frenzy. Add in fellow Montreal native Auger-Aliassime’s feat and Twitter became one giant chant of ‘O Canada.’
Of course, it wasn’t just Canadians who got excited.
Fernandez’s quarterfinal opponent also had some kind words.
Auger-Aliassime, however, is already looking beyond the duo’s latest wins.
Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that Canadians have been so successful at the US Open, as it turns out the youngsters have had a secret weapon all along.
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