NEW YORK (AP) — Two teenagers can earn semifinal spots at the U.S. Open, as both Leylah Fernandez and Carlos Alcaraz are in action.
Fernandez, a day after turning 19, plays number-five seed Elina Svitolina (svih-toh-LEE’-nah). The Canadian has defeated Grand Slam champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber in her last two matches.
The 18-year-old Alcaraz plays the final match of the day at Arthur Ashe Stadium against No. 12 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who is 21. It’s the youngest matchup this late in a major since 20-year-old Rafael Nadal beat Novak Djokovic (NOH’-vak JOH’-kuh-vich), 19, in the quarterfinals of the 2006 French Open.
Another spot can be filled by a qualifier, if Botic Van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands upsets No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev (DAN’-ihl MEHD’-veh-dehv).
The other quarterfinal matchup pits French Open champion and No. 8 seed Barbora Krejcikova against No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka.