Gigi Salmon
BBC Radio 5 Live tennis commentator

Leylah Fernandez is like a baby-faced assassin.

Image source, Getty Images

Emma Gregory: Got shown on the BBC feed during Emma's quarter- and semi-final... Not saying her success if contingent on you showing this Tweet, Beeb, but you wouldn't want to risk it.

We wouldn't, Emma, we wouldn't...

Emma Raducanu was born in Toronto, Canada, to a Romanian father, Ian, and Chinese mother, Renee, before moving to London at the age of two.

She says she is "quite capable" in Mandarin, and loves nothing more than binge-watching Taiwanese television shows.

Raducanu has also spoken previously of her fond memories of visiting her grandmother, Mamiya, in Bucharest, Romania.

"I go back a couple of times a year, stay with her, see her. It's really nice. I love the food, to be honest," she said. "I mean, the food is unbelievable. And my grandma's cooking is also something special."

Image source, BBC Sport

She attended Newstead Wood School in Orpington, where she sat maths and economics A-Levels just a matter of months ago, the same school attended by world champion sprinter Dina Asher-Smith.

She also loves her motorsport and between the ages of five and eight used to do go-karting, starting out in a bus garage in Streatham before moving on to a proper track - while from the age of nine she also did motocross.

In her spare time, Raducanu still likes to dabble in both and her wide variety of sporting interests also extend to horse riding, tap dancing, golf, skiing and basketball.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent

The list of media demands has grown as the fortnight has progressed. We have been granted among our first, in-person (masked) radio interviews since the pandemic began, and there has been interest from the New York Times, Fox Asia, the Japanese broadcaster Wowow, and even Der Spiegel magazine from Germany.

As well, naturally, as ESPN - the host broadcasters in the United States. Emma Raducanu has been engaging and charming throughout, and won a new fan on her regular visits to the ESPN set.

"She has the same grace that she has on court," host Chris McKendry told me.

"She's very calm, she's very collected. She's composed, very well spoken. I love her story of going to traditional school and having her friends outside tennis who have kept her very grounded.

"She seems to be very interested in other topics. The other day we were talking about her studies and she has a very good brain for numbers. She told me on her bucket list is a visit to Wall Street.

"I don't want to get her hopes up but often if you win this tournament they have you ring the opening bell for the exchange. It's not often an 18-year-old champion tennis player wants to sit down and talk about Wall Street."

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

Raducanu's performances have been clinical. It is ridiculous she hasn't dropped a set. I had Bencic as one of the favourites and Raducanu dealt with her easily.

Maybe it is one of those things that is unexplainable. It is unbelievable. I would say Raducanu is the favourite.

Image source, Getty Images

British teenager Emma Raducanu says reaching her first Grand Sam final at the US Open feels "crazy, cool and absolutely mind-blowing".

"I never thought it would come this early to be in a Grand Slam final," Raducanu told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I'm really enjoying my time in New York and that's showing in my tennis. Tonight, being under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium, it's so iconic and I think I was just thriving in the moment."

Thursday's victory over world number 18 Sakkari, by far the most significant of her career, also means Raducanu is the first British woman to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Virginia Wade at Wimbledon in 1977.

"I had no idea of this record," Raducanu said. "It obviously means a lot to be the first in the final for so long.

"Crazy, cool. To be here in New York for three weeks is just absolutely mind-blowing for me."

Laura Robson
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

In the last couple days I have been walking around with my dog and the tennis courts have been full. There have been so many kids out and about. Emma is such a good role model.

I hope it can inspire a new generation to pick up a racquet.

I think it is a turning point for the women's game. I feel so excited for these two players, not only for tonight but for the future.

Craig: I told my boyfriend after Wimbledon that if Raducanu ever wins a Grand Slam I'll propose to him. Looks like I may be in for an expensive night!

Image source, Getty Images

Such is the attention that this match-up is attracting, Novak Djokovic's quest for a record 21st men's major and a calendar Grand Slam has been slightly overshadowed.

"I think we're all just super hungry to make a difference in the tennis world," said Leylah Fernandez.

"We've always talked about and joked around that we're going to be in the WTA Tour and we're going to be on the big stage together.

"We want to make a difference. We want to make an impact in tennis."

Naomi Broady
British player on BBC Radio 5 Live

I can't wait. Emma has absolutely nothing to lose. We have reason to be nervous. Win or lose, Emma has had a fantastic week.

Russell Fuller
BBC tennis correspondent

My first sight of Emma Raducanu at this US Open came on one of those typical late summer New York days: oppressively hot and uncomfortably humid.

The 18-year-old was playing in the final round of qualifying, against Mayar Sherif of Egypt. And within minutes of sitting down to watch on court five, a colleague and I had turned to each other with the same thought: she really is an exceptional talent.

Raducanu had secured some excellent wins since reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon in July, most notably in her run to the final of the WTA Challenger event in Chicago the previous week.

But having only arrived in New York on the Monday, and due to play three qualifying matches in three days from the Wednesday, there was some concern among the coaching team that fatigue may be an issue.

A flight home had been booked for the following weekend, but that would prove an unnecessary precaution as the longest trip of Raducanu's life had plenty of miles left to run.

The first qualifier in history to reach a Grand Slam final takes the view you should try and live like a local when on the road.

She tries to do her own shopping and likes to make her own breakfast. A lox bagel (of salmon and cream cheese) would be her first choice, and on the odd trip around Manhattan frozen yoghurt in Times Square does not go amiss.

Holly, that is wonderful! Fancy writing this live text too with that poetic flair?!

Gigi Salmon
BBC Radio 5 Live tennis commentator

I read today bookmakers would have given odds of 5,000-1 for these two players to be in the final - the same as Leicester City's Premier League title win.

Francesca Gunn: I’m hoping she wins… but win or lose Britain will be proud of her.

GT: Best of luck to Emma Raducanu - win or lose she is an inspiration for British Tennis.

Celebrity fans and pundits have been queuing up to celebrate the British teenager's rise.

Former British number one Tim Henman described Raducanu's semi-final display as "simply stunning" and "absolutely staggering".

Speaking on Amazon Prime, Henman said: "She was so resilient. She never flinched. She never let up. It was relentless. And then you've got to throw in the scenario of being a qualifier, an 18-year-old, with all the legends who have ever played this game at Grand Slam level.

"She deserves all the credit in the world. On the biggest stage in our sport at every opportunity she plays on her terms. It's incredible to watch."

Former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski said he was "dumbfounded" by Raducanu's performance - one that he believes "was worthy of a world number one, a US Open champion, a multiple Grand Slam champion".

"The composure, the belief, the handling of the big points. This is her first Grand Slam semi-final and it was like she was playing in the first round. It was astonishing," Rusedski added.

Judy Murray said on Twitter that Raducanu's victory was an "incredible achievement", while fellow British player Laura Robson described her win as "unbelievable" and Prime Minister Johnson said: "The whole country will be cheering you on in the final".

Laura Robson
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live

Raducanu's behaviour is way beyond her years, she was meant to be on the biggest stage. I have a good feeling about the final, only a few people have such inner belief.

She takes the ball early, produces top spin and she’s a good mover around the court with a great head on her shoulders, I can’t believe how well she’s played so far.

Paul Harper: No one was expecting this to happen so early in your career. You have already made history, you have become an overnight star but now is your chance to go down in British sporting folklore. Come on Emma Raducanu you can do this.