A remarkable run to the US Open final ended in disappointment Saturday B次元官网网址� and a measure of controversy B次元官网网址� for CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Leylah Fernandez.

She dropped a 6-4, 6-3 decision to British qualifier Emma Raducanu, who managed to claim the womenB次元官网网址檚 championship at Flushing Meadows without losing a single set throughout the tournament.

Remarkably, it was the first Grand Slam final appearance for both players.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 incredible,B次元官网网址� the 73rd-ranked Fernandez said of her unexpected run to the final, her tear-stained, smiling face a picture of mixed emotions during the post-match on-court interview.

B次元官网网址淚 want to be back here next year,B次元官网网址� she added with a grin, B次元官网网址渙nly with the right trophy.B次元官网网址�

And as if the New York fans didnB次元官网网址檛 love her enough, Fernandez acknowledged SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, saying, B次元官网网址淚 hope I can be as strong and resilient as New York has been the last 20 years.B次元官网网址�

Fernandez seemed to struggle with her serve throughout the afternoon, managing to land only 56 per cent of her first serves and double-faulting five times, often at the most critical moments.

But as sheB次元官网网址檚 done throughout the tournament, just when it began to look like she was flagging, an acrobatic backhand or blistering down-the-line forehand would find a corner of the court just outside RaducanuB次元官网网址檚 reach.

More than once, she took what seemed a certain win for Raducanu and gradually wore her back to deuce, often ending exhaustive rallies with a delicate little backhand slice that pulled her opponent to the net and out of position.

She did it again at one of the most critical moments of the match: with Raducanu leading 5-2 in the second set and poised over the championship point, Fernandez battled back to win the game to the delight of an appreciative crowd.

Other times, a fearsome cross-court forehand out of nowhere would send Raducanu diving in vain, a wry smile crossing FernandezB次元官网网址檚 face.

But the cool-headed Brit had more than a few tricks up her sleeve, including a powerful one-handed forehand Fernandez was often helpless to catch.

The 18-year-old qualifier betrayed no evidence of nerves, often blowing on her fingertips after a hard-won point or piercing the air with a triumphant shout.

B次元官网网址淪he played incredible tennis,B次元官网网址� Raducanu said before carting off the championship trophy.

B次元官网网址淚 thought the level was extremely high, and I hope we play each other in many more tournaments B次元官网网址� and hopefully finals.B次元官网网址�

The normally emotive Fernandez seemed almost subdued throughout the match, allowing herself only modest little fist-pumps, despite the encouragement of a New York crowd that was clearly smitten with both young stars.

That changed late in the second set, where B次元官网网址� sensing opportunity where others might find only despair B次元官网网址� the fist pumps came more quickly, the smiles more easily, often with a knowing glance at her trainer and family members in the crowd.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 when Raducanu, her right knee bloodied by a sliding shot attempt, was granted a medical time-out, a development that seemed to visibly frustrate her opponent.

Fernandez could be seen arguing with officials about the decision to grant the time-out, particularly at a moment in the match when she was clearly riding a wave of momentum.

B次元官网网址淚 want to play,B次元官网网址� she told the official at one point.

The 19-year-old Fernandez, a Montreal native, has enthralled the crowds in New York with her unexpected run to her first career Grand Slam final.

Fernandez, whoB次元官网网址檚 based in Boynton Beach, Fla., but represents Canada, defeated WTA Tour stars Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka en route to the championship.

She was ranked 73rd in the world at the start of the tournament but has played like a seasoned veteran.

Her opponent was also an unexpected finalist: Raducanu, the world No. 150, is a Toronto native who moved overseas to the London area at age two. She needed to get through the qualifying rounds just to make it to the main draw.

MontrealB次元官网网址檚 Felix Auger-Aliassime reached the menB次元官网网址檚 singles semifinals before falling to RussiaB次元官网网址檚 Daniil Medvedev on Friday afternoon.

B次元官网网址� James McCarten, The Canadian Press