Emma Raducanu became the first British female to win the US Open since Virginia Wade in 1968 after defeating fellow teenager Leylah Fernandez 6-4 6-3 in Saturday’s final at Flushing Meadows.

Unseeded qualifier Raducanu has exceeded her own wildest dreams in claiming her first grand slam title, while Wade had to upset the odds for her only triumph in New York after toppling the great Billie Jean King in the showpiece.

Here, the PA news agency explores what else happened 53 years ago.

Assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr and Robert F. Kennedy

Martin Luther King Jr
Martin Luther King Jr was gunned down on April 4 in Memphis (PA Archive)

Black Power salute

Athlete Tommie Smith
Tommie Smith raised a black-gloved fist in the air as the US national anthem played (PA Archive)

Downfall and arrest of the Kray twins

Former amateur boxers, twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray
Former amateur boxers, twins Ronnie and Reggie Kray (PA Archive)

United rule Europe

Manchester United win the European Cup in 1958
Manchester United won the European Cup in 1968 (PA Archive/PA)

Other memorable sporting moments

Arthur Ashe in action
Arthur Ashe was the men’s champion in the first year of the Open era (PA Archive)

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