Baby Fernandez in history: at 18 in the semifinals with dad’s advice

A very hard-fought match with the Ukrainian bronze medalist in Tokyo, she is the youngest since Sharapova in 2005: “I believed in my dream”

A very close, exciting fight, a fun match full of reversals in front. In the end, Leylah Fernandez, 18-year-old number 73 in the world, goes to the semifinals at the US Open, who after tripping outgoing champion Naomi Osaka, and three-time Slam champion Angie Kerber, also beat Elina Svitolina, bronze at the Olympic Games. Tokyo. It’s over 6-3 3-6 7-6 (5). Incredulous Fernandez, Canadian with a Filipino mother and father, a former Ecuadorian footballer: “Honestly, I have no idea how she feels now – she said after the victory -. I repeated to myself that I had faith in my shots, which at the cost of losing I had to play my tennis and I’m glad I did.

Between dad and coach

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In the stands to applaud the mother and the fitness coach of Cuban origin Duglas Cordero, who has worked for years with Fabio Fognini. But the inspiration was given to him by his father George who is also his coach, although he comes from football: “My father has always told me a lot of things, but this time when I heard him before entering the field he just said to me : ‘It’s your first time in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, go and have fun and make sure it’s not your last game. Fight for your dreams. ” Meanwhile, thanks to the training on the beach to which Cordero subjects her, she has already become the youngest in a semifinal at the Us Open by Sharapova in 2005. The dream continues.

September 8 – 00:32

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