• Fernandez’s win was first time women have gone this far with either zero points • Garcia v Svitolina set for Tuesday’s semi-final
The teenager Leylah Fernandez has become the first woman in the Open era to reach the semi-finals of a US Open after her scoreless win over the top seed Elina Svitolina.
Fernandez went down to Svitolina 6-0, 6-0 but qualified for the last four of a grand slam for the first time after the second seed Garbine Muguruza pulled out with an elbow injury and the American Sloane Stephens crashed out to Naomi Osaka.
Garbine Muguruza quits US Open in third round with elbow injury Read more
Fernandez was up against a big-hitting Svitolina who pumped winners off both wings and won 98% of her first-serve points but the 17-year-old did not give her opponent a second chance as she pummelled her with unreturnable returns.
The only goal Fernandez had been keeping throughout the tournament had been to reach the quarter-finals, something she was on track to achieve after taking a two-set lead.
“I’m very happy and very proud of my effort today,” Fernandez told the WTA.
“It was an incredible challenge. She didn’t give me a second’s rest, neither did I. I’m happy that I was able to save so many unforced errors and win so many points at the net.”
It was a huge win for Fernandez who came through qualifying and battled with an ankle injury to make the main draw. She will play the Russian Elena Vesnina in the semis.