01:11 AM
Raducanu gets ready…
I dread to think what would happen if I tried this…
12:58 AM
Latest update from US correspondent Jamie Johnson in New York
Courtside footage of Sabalenka taking the second set…
12:53 AM
Leylah Fernandez vs Aryna Sabalenka – latest
If you are just joining us thinking Raducanu’s match would be starting, think again.
Sabalenka looked to be on the ropes but she’s taken the second set 6-4 to force a decider on Arthur Ashe for the US Open final.
12:49 AM
Throwback Friday
12:43 AM
Leylah Fernandez vs Aryna Sabalenka – latest
Fernandez is just two games away from becoming the youngest US Open finalist since Serena Williams in 1999.
She leads 7-6, 4-3 against an uncomfortable and frustrated Sabalenka.
12:34 AM
Latest update from US correspondent Jamie Johnson in New York
Jamie Murray, who is through to the final of the men’s doubles was asked about his thoughts on Raducanu’s chances tonight.
Well, it’s difficult to say something, because you feel like you’re putting pressure on her if you say that she’s got a great chance to win
Has she got a great chance to win? Yeah, why not? She’s beaten everyone she’s played so far pretty convincingly. I think it was probably good for her that Pliskova lost last night, because I think just less firepower to deal with Sakkari, not that I don’t think she’s a top player, because she is and she’s been kind of on this trajectory, as well.
But I think it’s a better matchup for Emma personally. It’s been amazing to watch her at Wimbledon and then, fast-forward seven, eight weeks, she’s doing the same thing here. I believe that she will be a top player for a long time. British tennis I think has got someone to follow for another 15 years, I think.
12:24 AM
Clutch tennis by Fernandez
12:14 AM
Leylah Fernandez vs Aryna Sabalenka – latest
Fernandez comes back from 1-4 and saves a set point to take the tiebreak over a nervy Sabalenka 7-6(3).
12:10 AM
Guaranteed British winner at the US Open
Britain will have a US Open winner this year with Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury facing off against each other in the final of the men’s doubles on Friday.
Murray, a seven-time doubles grand slam champion, and his Brazilian partner Bruno Soares, overcame tricky eighth seeds John Peers and Filip Polasek, winning 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 at Flushing Meadows.
The Scot could become Britain’s most successful grand slam champion in the open era, overtaking Virginia Wade, if he and Soares defeat Joe Salisbury and Rajeev Ram at 5pm.
“It’s not like it happens very often that there are two Brits going into a Grand Slam final,” said Murray last night.
“I guess that adds a different dimension to the match, but I think for us, we’re excited to be there, excited to have that opportunity again.
“I don’t feel extra pressure because I’m playing another British guy, just knowing everything I have gone through and we have gone through this year.”
Ram and Salisbury, who represented Team GB at the Olympics and is the fourth ranked doubles player in the world, saw off Americans Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-4 under a closed roof at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
After the match, The Briton said “Obviously we are excited to come through. We knew it was going to be a tough match. They are a very dangerous team.”
Salisbury, 29, who won the 2020 Australian Open with Ram and the 2021 French Open in mixed doubles with Desirae Krawczyk is familiar with his next opponents.
“We have played Jamie and Bruno quite a few times before and know them really well,” he said.
By Jamie Johnson in New York
12:02 AM
Leylah Fernandez vs Aryna Sabalenka – latest
Before Raducanu’s match gets underway, the first semi-final between Fernandez and Sabalenka is ongoing.
And we are into a tiebreak after an engrossing match. Huge hitting from both players so far!
11:45 PM
Latest update from US correspondent Jamie Johnson in New York
Emma Raducanu was all smiles when she took to the Arthur Ashe court for her final practice session earlier this evening.
Keen to work on her service returns, she asked one of her coaches to fire tennis balls to her left and right at speed from within the baseline.
At one point, an almighty shout of “foot fault” rang out across the arena, making everyone jump.
Officials were testing the line judge microphones, prompting the young Briton and her team to start laughing.
After half an hour, Maria Sakkari arrived on scene and the two exchanged warm smiles. Sakkari fired cross court shots towards two coaches stationed at each side of the opposite baseline.
She also practiced precision returning, aiming forehands at cones which had been placed in the corner of the court.
11:36 PM
Hello!
Welcome to coverage of a potentially historic moment in British tennis.
18-year-old Emma Raducanu needs to win just two sets to reach a maiden Grand Slam final in just the second major tournament of her career.
To achieve it, the teenager must beat Greece’s Maria Sakkari for a place in Saturday’s women’s final. Two months ago, Raducanu reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in July, only to withdraw from her clash with Ajla Tomljanovic due to breathing difficulties. But Anne Keothavong believes Raducanu’s efforts in New York have proved she’s “the real deal”.
“What happened at Wimbledon was unfortunate of course, but it was all so new to her,” said Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup captain Keothavong.
“You’ve got to remember it was only her third professional tournament back since the pandemic. “It was all very new, there was a lot going on. But the way she’s bounced back has shown everyone who did have their doubts what she’s made of. She really is the real deal.”
Raducanu is yet to drop a set in the tournament, blasting her past opponents to reach the last four. And her exploits mean she will become the new British number one next week, jumping into the world’s top 50 and surpassing Jo Konta.
“She’s not a player who breaks down very easily,” Keothavong told BBC Radio Four. “Everyone is amazed at how well she’s been able to embrace the situation and run with it. It’s caught everyone by surprise. I don’t think anyone can wipe that smile off her face.”
In a possible attempt at mind games, Sakkari has claimed she won’t be the favourite going into the match. “She’s a new player on tour so I don’t know much about her,” Sakkari said following her 6-4, 6-4 quarter-final win over Karolina Pliskova.
“Obviously she’s having the tournament of her life. She deserves to be here. She has won all these matches. But I wouldn’t call myself the favourite. I think we all have equal chances of winning the semi-finals and then winning the title. I would give 25 per cent to each starting tomorrow, then 50 to the two finalists.
“We are all here for a reason. We’re all playing well. It was not like we had five walkovers. I’m excited to play a second semi-final this year.”