COCO Gauff has won her first Grand Slam title, beating Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final.
The 19-year-old came back in stunning fashion after losing the first set.
ReutersCoco Gauff has won the 2023 US Open, beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final[/caption]
GettyGauff won the match despite losing the first set[/caption]
ReutersThe 19-year-old broke down in tears after claiming the victory[/caption]
Gauff eventually won 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to lift the trophy.
She’s only the fourth American woman to triumph at the US Open, joining Serena and Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens.
After winning the match point, the Florida native tumbled to the ground and broke down in tears.
In an emotional moment, her coach, Brad Gilbert, then told the champ: “I’m so f**ing proud of you.”
Gauff put on a show at Flushing Meadows on Saturday afternoon.
Even in the first set, she earned a standing ovation a few times after defending some improbable shots from the hard-hitting Azarenka.
“You played unbelievable,” the No. 2 seed told the US star after the match.
Gauff reciprocated with some warm words for Azarenka before lifting the trophy.
“I knew if I didn’t give it my all, I had no shot at winning,” she told the tennis ace, who would become the world’s No. 1 the following week.
Coco also delivered a message to her doubters.
“I want to say thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me,” she said.
“To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were actually putting gas on it – I’m burning so bright right now.”
Coco won her fourth singles title of 2023 in New York City, adding to victories at WTA events in Cincinnati, Washington DC, and Auckland.
ReutersCoco beat the soon-to-be world’s No. 1 in Sabalenka on Saturday[/caption]
APThe US Open victory is Gauff’s fourth singles title of 2023[/caption]