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19-Year-Old Leylah Fernandez Is Captivating U.S. Open Watchers
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The Canadian tennis phenom is taking this year's U.S. Open by storm, becoming the youngest woman to reach the semifinals in 16 years.
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NOEL KING, HOST:
At every major tennis tournament, a rising star has a chance to become, well, a risen star. This year, it's Leylah Fernandez. She's Canadian, and she turned 19 on Sunday.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: Moments of magical inspiration from the Canadian - brings her to match point.
(SOUNDBITE OF HITTING TENNIS BALLS, CHEERING)
KING: Last night, she became the youngest woman to reach the U.S. Open semifinals in 16 years after beating the heavy favorite, Elina Svitolina, in three sets.
RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
The daughter of an Ecuadorian father, a Filipino Canadian mother, Fernandez told ESPN she credits her dad for inspiration.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
LEYLAH FERNANDEZ: Today, he told me to go out there, have fun, fight for every ball, fight for every point. Today's your first quarterfinals. Don't make it your last. Don't make it your last match over here. Fight for your dream.
(CHEERING)
MARTIN: Leylah's dad has been coaching her since she was 6 years old. He says he was inspired by Richard Williams, Venus and Serena's dad who coached them. She has beat two former U.S. Open champions so far. She'll face a third in the semifinal tomorrow. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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