Filipino-Canadian rising tennis star Leylah Fernandez stormed into the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open on Sunday with a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2 win over 16th seed Angelique Kerber.
Fernandez, who celebrates her 19th birthday on Monday also ousted defending champion Naomi Osaka on Friday.
"Honestly, the crowd has been amazing, so thanks to them I was able to win," said Fernandez, who next faces fifth seeded Ukranian Elina Svitolina.
Fernandez, who is an Ecuadorian and Filipino roots had grabbed the early break at 4-2 but could not consolidate it as Kerber, the 2016 U.S. Open winner, broke right back with the help of a pair of double-faults by the Canadian. But Fernandez remained unworried and continue throughout a tight second set that went to a tie-break that she took 7-5.
This seemed to shift the momentum to the Fil-Canadian's side as it was all her in the winner-take-all third set, 6-2.
"I think it was a tough one," said Keiber. "I mean I gave everything I had today."
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