Fil-Canadian Leylah Fernandez eliminates three-time Grand Slam winner Kerber


Leylah Fernandez of Canada celebrates match point against Angelique Kerber of Germany during her Women’s Singles round of 16 match on Day Seven at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

Leylah Fernandez, the 18-year-old Canadian phenom with Filipino blood, and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Elina Svitolina continued to impress after beating highly touted foes to reach the US Open quarterfinals on Sunday in New York.

Fernandez followed her shock upset of 2020 champion Naomi Osaka by eliminating German 16th seed Angelique Kerber, a three-time Grand Slam champion, 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.

"I just tried to use all my trainings from back home," Fernandez said. "They told me take it point by point. I was glad I was able to execute it."

She will face Svitolina, the fifth seed from Ukraine who beat two-time major winner Simona Halep 6-3, 6-3 to reach her eighth Grand Slam quarter-final.

Svitolina, coming off a WTA title in Chicago, stretched her win streak to nine matches.

"I was really excited," Svitolina said. "I know how big a fighter is Simona. I had to bring my best game.

"Definitely I have goosebumps right now."

She's not changing anything to face Svitolina.

Seven of the top nine women's seeds reached the last 16 with Osaka and top-ranked Wimbledon champion Ashleigh Barty exiting early.