Emma Raducanu vs Leylah Fernandez LIVE result: Latest updates from US Open final

Sporting fairytales can all too often have unhappy endings, but Emma Raducanu’s extraordinary run at the US Open finished in glorious fashion in New York as the 18-year-old became Britain’s first female singles grand slam champion for 44 years.

Raducanu, the first qualifier ever to reach a Grand Slam final, once again rose to the occasion, beating the 19-year-old Canadian Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-3 with a remarkable display of big hitting and composure.

Just three months after making her debut on the main women’s tour, Raducanu became the youngest grand slam singles champion since 17-year-old Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004. She is also the first woman ever to win the title in only her second grand slam tournament.

Read Paul Newman’s report on a historic US Open final:

“Anything is possible, the sky is the limit,” says GB Fed Cup captain Anne Keothavong.

“Of course she can go onto become the world No 1 and win future grand slams, she’s won the US Open as a qualifier!”

The future of tennis is in safe hands.

Before tonight, the biggest tournament of Emma Raducanu’s career so far was a 25K event in Pune, India.

She was yet to win a tournament on the WTA tour, which her first appearance in the main draw of a WTA draw coming two months ago.

The rise has just been insane. We have never seen anything like this in sport, let alone tennis.

“A star was born tonight,” says Greg Rusedski, one of a number of former and current players reacting to Raducanu’s win tonight.

Emma Raducanu speaking to Amazon Prime and Tim Henman.

“I’m still just so shocked, I can’t believe I came through that last service game. I don’t want to let go of this trophy right now!” she says.

“This morning there were some weird feelings but when I came out on court I felt at home.

“I didn’t serve as well as I had been throughout the tournament but I came up with some big serves in clutch moments.”

Emma Raducanu is just absolutely loving this moment.

Emma Raducanu receives the US Open trophy from Billie Jean King - after being handed a cheque for $2.5 million.

It’s hard to believe what is happening right now.

Emma Raducanu after winning the US Open:

“First of all I really wanted to congratulate Leylah for an incredible fortnight. The level was incredibly high and I hope we play each other again in many more tournaments and finals.

“Thank you to my team for your unbelievable support and most of all thank you for your support - I’ve loved playing in New York.

“Leylah is also going to play great tennis and fight - I knew I had to dig deep. I knew I had to serve [for the championship] and staying in the moment really hoped in those tough times.

“The future of women’s tennis is so great. Every player in the drawer has a shot of winning every tournament. I hope the future generation can follow the legends of the game, like Billie Jean King here.

“It means so much to have Virginia Wade and Tim Henman, icons of the British game, here supporting me, it really helped.”

The Queen has congratulated Emma Raducanu for winning the US Open! “It’s a remarkable achievement at such a young age.”