Emma Raducanu has become the first British woman in 44 years to win a Grand Slam singles title.

The 18-year-old from Bromley overpowered Leylah Fernandez, a 19-year-old from Canada – winning 6-4 6-3 in the US Open final.

Their showdown lasted an hour and 51 minutes, and was the first major tennis final between two teenagers in 22 years.

A dream come true for @EmmaRaducanu 🏆 pic.twitter.com/gAYrRBlh4t

Saturday night’s match had a dramatic finale as Raducanu was forced to have a medical time out after skidding on the court and hurting her leg as she raced to return a ball.

Speaking on court after the match, the British tennis sensation praised her opponent – and expressed hope that they will play in many more tournaments and finals in the future.

She told the crowd: “Thank you to everyone here in New York – thank you all for making me feel so at home from my first qualifying match all the way to the final. I’ve loved playing in front of you and you’ve really spurred me on in some difficult moments.”

Raducanu was presented with the trophy by American tennis legend Billie Jean King, as Virginia Wade and Tim Henman cheered on.

9/11 anniversary: America marks 20 years since terror attacks as families remember loved ones – ‘we will never forget you’

9/11 anniversary: Twenty years on, US and the world face a painful reflection of a life-changing moment

9/11: The terror attacks on the US – minute by minute

It is an extraordinary, unprecedented achievement for Raducanu, who came into the US Open ranked 150th in the world.

She didn’t drop a set during the entire tournament, playing a total of 10 matches including three in qualifying.

Sky’s US correspondent Martha Kelner, who is at Flushing Meadows in New York, said: “She was virtually unknown three months ago before she got that wild card through to Wimbledon. She said that her aim by the end of this year was to be in the top 100 in order to get access automatically to the Australian Open at the start of next year.

“She certainly didn’t expect that she’d be the US Open champion, I don’t think anyone did. No one knew quite how talented she was before this tournament.

“I think in the past we’ve seen young players overhyped – perhaps by the media or by a public that’s starved of seeing genuine grand slam contenders. But Emma Raducanu, as if there was any doubt left, is the real deal – she is absolutely sensational and completely nerveless as well.”

Raducanu will now receive $2.5m (£1.8m) in prize money – and her fairytale journey will undoubtedly make her one of Britain’s best-known sports stars.

No qualifier had ever reached a slam final before – and as well as being the first woman to win a title in as few as two tournaments, Raducanu is also the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova triumphed at Wimbledon in 2004.

Each rally between Raducanu and Fernandez was hard fought, with both women reading each other’s games in a way their previous opponents didn’t manage to do.

The last British woman to hoist a major tennis trophy was Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.

Just three months ago, Raducanu was sitting her A-levels – securing an A* in Maths and an A in Economics.

Related posts:

Gun salutes in major UK cities and on navy ships mark death of Prince Philip Prince Philip’s funeral to take place on Saturday and will be televised – with 3pm national silence Remembering the rain and the jokes at the last of the duke’s 22, 219 solo engagements Queen described loss of husband Philip as a ‘huge void in her life’, says Prince Andrew Trains found with cracks can resume service – but delays set to linger Eight people charged with rioting over Kill the Bill protest in Bristol Headteachers call for school funding to match rise in child poverty UK’s Indian COVID variant cases more than double in a week Soldier-turned doctor warns GP burnout ‘would see the collapse the NHS’ ‘It’s wrecking lives’: Banks launch emergency hotline to protect customers from scammers ‘Listen to the science’: Sir David Attenborough’s plea to world leaders from namesake polar research ship ‘Cannibal killer’ David Harker among first denied parole under Helen’s Law