Coco Gauff won the US Open title in front of a delighted American home crowd (Picture: Getty)
Coco Gauff produced a stunning comeback to beat Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s US Open final to register her maiden Grand Slam trophy.
Gauff lost the first set but took the second to force a decider and held her nerve in the third to become the first American teen to win a women’s singles Grand Slam title this century and the first since Serena Williams at the US Open in 1999.
The 19-year-old, seeded sixth at Flushing Meadows, is enjoying the best winning run of her career having now recorded 12 consecutive victories – beating second-seed Sabalenka 2-6 6-3 6-2 in front of a delighted home crowd in New York.
Gauff, who lost the French Open final last year in what was her first major final, had never beaten a top 10 player from a set down before her historic win over Sabalenka as she denied the Belarusian a second Grand Slam title in 2023.
‘It means so much to me winning at home,’ Gauff said in her post-match interview.
‘I feel like I am in a little bit of shock at this moment. The French Open loss [last year] definitely hurt me. Those moments make this one even more sweeter.
‘I don’t pray for results. I ask that I get the strength to give it my all. I am thankful for this moment. I have no words for it to be honest.
‘I knew if I didn’t give it my all, I had no shot of winning. Aryna is an incredible player and congratulations on your [new] No.1 ranking.
‘I tell everyone that you are a nice person behind the scenes. It makes the sport better. Congratulations to you and your team.
‘Today was the first time I ever saw my dad cry. He thinks he’s so hard but… he took took me to this tournament when I was young to watch Serena and Venus (Williams) compete, so it’s incredible to be on this stage.’
It was Australian Open champion Sabalenka who got off to the perfect start at the Arthur Ashe Stadium with a break in the first game of the first set.
Gauff got the crowd on their feet in game four as she broke Sabalenka back but the set did not stay level for long as her opponent responded instantly in game six with a break of her own.
After Gauff missed two more break-point opportunities in game six, Sabalenka secured her third break of the match and took the first set 6-2.
Gauff needed Sabalenka to crumble in the second set to force a decider – and the teenager secured a crucial in game four – before saving break point in game five to open up a 4-1 lead over her European opponent.
Both players exchanged service games to leave Sabalenka needing a hold to stay in the set but Gauff seemed unfazed after it then went to 5-3, holding her nerve to take the second set 6-3 to set up a winner-takes-all final set.
Gauff looked determined to make history and roared into a 3-0 third-set lead withan early double break as she edged towards victory in front of a star-studded crowd.
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A trade of service games made it 4-1 to Gauff but Sabalenka fought back with a break in game six after a medical time out to keep her slim hopes alive.
Gauff, though, who will now rise to world No.3 once the WTA rankings update, broke her straight back in game six and a hold of serve secured the third set 6-2 as she lifted the 2023 US Open title.
‘I want to congratulate Coco and your team,’ Sabalenka said after her runner-up finish. ‘You guys deserve this title. Many more to come I am sure. I hope we play in many more finals. Hopefully a different result the next time (laughs).’
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The 19-year-old lifts her first Grand Slam trophy!
