US Open final 2023 LIVE: Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka in sensational comeback performance
A new first-time winner will be crowned at Flushing Meadows with champion Iga Swiatek knocked out early
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Your support makes all the difference.Coco Gauff’s day of destiny arrived as she came from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka and win the US Open.
The 19-year-old became the first American teenager to triumph at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 1999.
Williams’ final farewell to tennis at the same championships last year left a colossal void in tennis in the US.
So it felt only natural that Gauff, the heir apparent to the 23-time grand slam winner, stepped into her shoes 12 months later.
Sabalenka will be the new world number one on Monday after a remarkably consistent year in which she won the Australian Open and reached the semi-finals in Paris and at Wimbledon.
But that will be scant consolation for the 25-year-old from Belarus after she put herself in position to win her second grand slam title, only to fold as Gauff claimed her first, thrilling a raucous crowd with a memorable 2-6 6-3 6-2 victory.
Follow the US Open women’s singles final reaction live below:
*Gauff 4-2 Sabalenka (First set 2-6)
The absolute level of a few of those shots in this game - astonishing.
The pick of them sees Sabalenka smash one into the corner, Gauff somehow manages a return on the spin which lobs the Belarusian, she sprints back and in turn lobs Gauff who has run forward...and it lands perfectly to claim the point en route to the game.
Gauff 4-1 Sabalenka* (First set 2-6)
Now, can she hold service and extend a big lead?
Sabalenka gets some fortune as she clips the net and just touches the line - 3mm inside, apparently.
She moves to a break point and has a quiet moment at the back of the court; it doesn’t do the trick as again she wildly overcooks a forehand and sends it miles out.
Another unforced error immediately follows as she powers a forehand into the net as it drops out the sky and Gauff duly wraps up the game. It’s 4-1 and the American is back in a great position to level up with the second set.
*Gauff 3-1 Sabalenka (First set 2-6)
A man wandering around in the stands is told to sit down about three times and takes his place on a step. Looks pretty sheepish.
Sabalenka’s frustrations only grow as she puts another one long - and the entire crowd is on their feet cheering as Gauff sends an absolute stunner past her on the next point for deuce.
Double fault for Sabalenka - on the break point! And Gauff takes a massive step forward, leading with a break for the first time tonight.
Gauff 2-1 Sabalenka* (First set 2-6)
Double fault from Gauff. Third of this set. Groans from the crowd - but they turn to cheers when she wins the next point. Every single one just seems so intense, so must-win at the moment.
A magic ace puts Gauff to 40-15 and she gives a fist-pump, clearly happy that her service game is picking up, but Sabalenka’s return on the next one is unstoppable, accurate and brilliantly placed. Gauff holds, though.
*Gauff 1-1 Sabalenka (First set 2-6)
Two good winners from Sabalenka to put herself in the driving seat for the second game.
Gauff can’t control her backhand returns against those powerful strikes from the forthcoming new world No.1 and it’s a routine hold of serve.
Gauff 1-0 Sabalenka* (First set 2-6)
Back they come for the second set, Gauff needing to improve her service game considerably to get back into this match.
A couple of smart points keep her in the game and a beautiful sliced backhand bring the game to deuce.
She needed a little more though and she absolutely finds it with a fine finish to win the first game in the second set.
Sabalenka wins first set 6-2
Eight winners from Sabalenka, vs three for Gauff. The Belarusian is being far more aggressive and powerful and thus making more errors, but is also way more in control and pushing for the points at every opportunity.
*Gauff 2-6 Sabalenka
Two set points for Sabalenka after a neat little rally and volley into space.
But Gauff clips the net and the No.2 seed can’t react quickly enough to get it over, losing her first set point.
A pause to focus and Sabalenka sends another couple of rockets over the net and duly claims the set.
Gauff 2-5 Sabalenka*
The American in trouble now in this first set as she’s broken again and Sabalenka will have the chance to go a set up if she holds her own serve.
*Gauff 2-4 Sabalenka
Time for the No.6 seed to try and produce another break, then.
Sabalenka forces her one way and then the other - but the third attempt back across court is another unforced error and straight into the net. She’s furious with herself.
Gauff sends one wide, Sabalenka sends another long - they are gifting each other points at times and the American has another break back opportunity. This time Sabalenka’s cross-court shots are on point, though, right into the corner to fire herself back to deuce.
A fine rally ends in another long strike from Sabalenka - after the crowd bayed for another, earlier one to be called out - but then it’s an ace at 116mph.
Finally Sabalenka manages to get enough movement in her shots to send Gauff wide and volley in a winner, then clining on to save serve and go 4-2 ahead. Breathless!
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