Coco Gauff beats Sabalenka to land her first Grand Slam title

• Coco Gauff finally fulfilled the potential she has long promised by beating Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open final to win her first Grand Slam
• Gauff will rise to a career-high number three following her memorable triumph at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York

Coco Gauff finally fulfilled the potential she has long promised by beating Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open final to win her first Grand Slam. The sixth seed started slow but later grew in confidence to pull a 2-6 6-3 6-2 victory in front of an adoring home crowd.

After clinching the title with a backhand winner, an emotional Gauff made a heart sign to the fans and then went up the stands to celebrate with her parents Corey and Candi. The three hugged and jumped in a circle as Gauff had made the family proud. Describing the moment, Gauff said it was the first time she saw her father cry.

Coco Gauff won the US Open final on Saturday night. Photo/CNN

“When I hugged my dad, I didn’t see him, because he went immediately for the embrace – but I heard him crying. I have never seen that man cry in my life. My mum, I knew she was going to cry regardless if I won or lost. Honestly [I was thinking] nothing. The whole time I was saying to myself, ‘Oh my goodness, how is this real?” BBC Sports quotes Coco Gauff. 

Gauff, who is from Florida, burst onto the scene in 2019 as a 15-year-old when she become the youngest qualifier in Wimbledon history. She impressed many with her performance, making it to the fourth round in her Grand Slam debut.

Afterwards, there were high expectations that the youngster was going to be a Grand Slam champion. She reached her first major final at last year’s French Open, finishing as the runner-up.

The United States teenager had a disappointing campaign at Wimbledon this year, exiting in the first round. However, she has finally earned the biggest trophy of her still-nascent career. This was Gauff’s 12th consecutive victory and 18th in her past 19 matches dating to a first-round exit at the All England Club in July.

Gauff is the first American to win a US Open singles title since Sloane Stephens in 2017. She is also the first teenager to win the country’s major tennis tournament since Serena Williams in 1999.

Coco Gauff rallied from a set down to beat Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and win her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open. Photo/ Sportico.com.

Speaking after her victory at US Open final, Coco Gauff said: “I feel like I’m in a little bit of shock at the moment. I feel like God puts you through tribulations and trials and that makes this even sweeter. I’m thankful for this moment. I don’t have any words.”

Gauff will rise to a career-high number three following her memorable triumph at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. On the other hand, Australian Open champion Sabalenka will console herself with the knowledge that she will rise to a career-high number one on Monday. Her wait for a second Grand Slam continues.