- Coco Gauff (WTA 6) defeated Aryna Sabalenka (WTA 2) in the final of the US Open after 2:06 hours with 2:6, 6:3, 6:2.
- It is the 1st Grand Slam title for the 19-year-old American.
- Despite the final defeat, Sabalenka will replace Iga Swiatek as world number 1 on Monday.
It doesn’t get any bigger in world tennis: Coco Gauff was crowned the first Grand Slam winner in front of 23,859 spectators at the Arthur Ashe Stadium at her home major. The 19-year-old managed to turn things around in the final against Aryna Sabalenka and gave the USA its first triumph at a Grand Slam tournament since Sofia Kenin’s title at the Australian Open 2020.
Turned up after a weak start
At first it looked as if the Belarusian could crash the US party in the largest tennis stadium in the world. Sabalenka was irresistible in the first set, took serve from Gauff three times and clearly secured the starting round with 6:2.
The designated world number 1 remained in control at the beginning of the second round and earned two break chances in the very first game. This time, however, Gauff was able to resist and bring the game to a close. It was the sense of achievement that lit the fire in the teenager.
Just showed nerves for a moment
With the score at 2:1, Gauff managed the first break of the second round, but it was to be the last. The local hero never let go of this small lead and finally brought the New York audience to a boil with the equalizer of the set.
With the support of what felt like an entire nation behind her, Gauff managed to raise her level again in the third round. Sabalenka continued to dictate most of the rallies with her offensive style of play, but her nimble opponent ran into almost every ball and drove the Belarusian to despair. The point often ended with a mistake by Sabalenka – too often from the point of view of the Australian Open winner. In the end there were 46 unforced errors.
Gauff quickly moved ahead to 4-0 in the third round. After a medical timeout from Sabalenka – the Belarusian had her thigh massaged – the American briefly lost track and had to let her opponent close to 2:4. With another break to make it 5:2, Gauff definitely took the wind out of Sabalenka’s sails. Shortly afterwards and after 2:06 hours of play, Gauff scored her first championship point.
New world number 3
Gauff ended a six-year drought for the USA at the home Grand Slam. Sloane Stephens was the last local to win the US Open in 2017. Thanks to her debut title at major level, Gauff also made a move in the world rankings. From Monday she will climb from 6th to 3rd place. Only Iga Swiatek and Sabalenka are ahead of the 19-year-old.