American teenager Coco Gauff secured her first Grand Slam title with a remarkable comeback victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final.
Gauff, seeded sixth, displayed resilience and determination to overcome second seed Sabalenka, clinching a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win at New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 19-year-old Gauff’s achievement marked her as the first American teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.
Her remarkable journey to this triumph included an impressive North American hard-court swing, with victories in Washington and Cincinnati, and a career-best 12th consecutive victory.
Despite starting slowly and struggling with consistency in the first set, Gauff’s athleticism and anticipation improved in the second set, allowing her to force Sabalenka into errors. A strong double-fault from Sabalenka during a break point provided Gauff with a 3-1 lead, and she eventually secured the set to level the match. The deciding set saw Gauff maintain her momentum, securing two early breaks and confidently serving out to win.
Gauff’s victory comes after a remarkable resurgence following a disappointing first-round exit at Wimbledon in July. She expressed gratitude to her supporters and acknowledged the doubters who fueled her determination to succeed. Gauff’s win was celebrated by fans, fellow athletes, and even former US President Barack Obama, who congratulated her and predicted an even brighter future.
The 19-year-old’s triumph is seen as a remarkable achievement for American tennis and solidifies her status as a rising star in the sport.
