The 19-year-old, who celebrated her birthday on Monday, beat the fifth-seeded Ukrainian 6-3 3-6 7-6 to grow to be the youngest US Open semifinalist since Maria Sharapova in 2005.
Victory over Svitolina is one other feather within the cap for Fernandez on this unbelievable run, with the Canadian already dispatching reigning champion Naomi Osaka and 2016 winner Angelique Kerber.
“In the present day’s match was undoubtedly one of many hardest, not solely tennis-wise, but additionally mentally and emotionally,” Fernandez advised reporters.
“Svitolina is a superb participant, nice fighter. I used to be glad I used to be capable of struggle within the first set. Within the second set, she upped her degree, and I sadly made a couple of errors on key moments.
“I am glad I used to be capable of recuperate for the third set. The tiebreaker, too. A bit of bit fortunate at five-all, however I will take all of the luck I can get. I used to be glad I used to be capable of push via the end line.”
Fernandez has grow to be a fan favourite at Flushing Meadows throughout her run and the supporters inside Arthur Ashe have been as soon as once more audibly getting behind her.
The teenager confirmed exceptional poise for somebody so inexperienced in what was a tense match, profitable the ultimate two factors — the primary of which was a considerably fortuitous web wire — within the deciding tie break.
When she obtained again to the locker room, Fernandez stated the very first thing she did was name her dad.
“He actually advised me that I put him via hell and again with this match,” she laughed.
“However he is very glad for me. He is glad that I used to be capable of struggle for each level, I deserved this win. Simply maintain working, get pleasure from this win at this time, and tomorrow we’ll return to work.”
Canadian males additionally making historical past at Flushing Meadows
Nevertheless, fellow teenager Carlos Alcaraz’s run on the US Open was ended abruptly with the Spaniard compelled to retire injured from his quarterfinal in opposition to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Alcaraz stated after the match that it was his proper adductor that compelled his early retirement from what had promised to be an thrilling conflict between two of tennis’ finest rising abilities.
Auger-Aliassime was main 6-3 3-1 when Alcaraz withdrew and turns into the primary males’s participant born within the 2000s to succeed in a grand slam semifinal.
At simply 21 years of age, he additionally turns into the primary Canadian males’s participant in historical past to succeed in the US Open semifinals.
