Former British number one Tim Henman branded Emma Raducanu’s performance in her US Open semi-final win over Maria Sakkari as “simply stunning”.
Raducanu made history by becoming the first qualifier to reach a grand slam final with a dominant 6-1 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari.
She is one match away – against fellow teen Leylah Fernandez – from becoming the first British female winner at Flushing Meadows since Virginia Wade in 1968.
Incredibly she has not lost a set en route to the final and has dropped just 27 games in her six matches.
“It’s an absolutely staggering performance,” Henman told Amazon Prime. “If we just look at the way she came out and played, her quality of tennis from start to finish, she was so resilient. She never flinched.
“She never let up. It was relentless. And then you’ve got to throw in the scenario of being a qualifier, an 18-year-old, with all the legends who have ever played this game at grand slam level.
“She is the first person to qualify and reach the final. It’s simply stunning.
“She deserves all the credit in the world. On the biggest stage in our sport at every opportunity she plays on her terms. It’s incredible to watch.
“She’ll need to enjoy this tonight and then get ready for Saturday.”
Greg Rusedski, a US Open finalist in 1997, added: “I’m dumbfounded. That performance was worthy of a world number one, a US Open champion, a multiple grand slam champion.
“The composure, the belief, the handling of the big points. This is her first grand slam semi-final and it was like she was playing in the first round. It was astonishing.”
Martina Navratilova the 18-time grand slam singles champion, knows a thing or two about making history.
She told Amazon Prime: “When you make history you do it at one level or two. Emma is doing it at so many levels.
“You can’t even think about the repercussions. We’ve been hyping her up but it’s happening. She’s backing it up.”
Raducanu will meet fellow teenager Fernandez in the final – a first such meeting since 1999.
“I just want to thank everyone who has supported me in this journey,” Raducanu said. “I think that from a young age the LTA has taken me under its wing, really helped me out from a young age.
“My team back home and my team that are physically here with me, I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Raducanu will now be favoured by many to go on and lift the title but she is keeping her feet on the ground.
“Is there any expectation? I’m a qualifier so technically there’s no pressure on me,” she concluded.