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 2-3 Sabalenka*
Suddenly Gauff looks composed and Sabalenka frustrated. A hit of the racquet as she walks off betrays as much, as does the scowl as she loses a point in the next game.
Gauff with five unforced errors - double that for her opponent as we hit 30-30 in the next game.
Lots of break points in these early stages and Sabalenka has another, but can’t control a return and Gauff smashes it away for deuce.
The best rally of the match then ensues as twice both players could reasonably think they were on the verge of winnng it - before Sabalenka inexplicably volleys a routine shot into the net.
But Gauff can’t make the most of it and another break - the third of this first set - duly rolls along.
*Gauff 2-2 Sabalenka
Another double fault from Sabalenka gives Gauff space, but another phenomenal rocket into the corner reduces the gap.
Then, incredibly, it’s a third double fault already and the American has two break points...and the break is overcome as Sabalenka misses a forehand and Gauff levels it at 2-2.
Gauff 1-2 Sabalenka*
Maybe we’re seeing Coco get into her groove now, playing through those early nerves. The cheers as she lands two quick points off better serves are music to her ears no doubt.
A fine whipped forehand down the line is her best point of the early knockings of this match and gives her a 40-15 lead, with Sabalenka then smacking one into the net for 2-1.
Cheers around Arthur Ashe Stadium as Gauff gets off the mark, but she’s still a break down.
*Gauff 0-2 Sabalenka
Sabalenka roars through her own service game to go 40-0 up but then there’s a double fault.
A quick dry-off with the towel to regain composure and she holds her break with the next point.
Gauff 0-1 Sabalenka*
A few early nerves perhaps from the American as Gauff’s service isn’t too sharp and Sabalenka rattles back for the first point - but then it’s huge cheers from the home crowd as the local wins the second.
There’s a slightly wild swing and a miss for 15-30 before Sabalenka overheats her forehand - but a first break point situation quickly arises. The Belarusian has the chance to put it away, too, but that speed across the ground from Gauff is on show to produce a lob and save the point.
But there’s no stopping the new world No.1: she powers two shots past Gauff and takes the break, and the lead.
US Open women’s final - latest updates
Here we go! Gauff won the toss and serves first.
US Open women’s final - latest updates
The pair speak ahead of their entrance to the court and here they come to wild applause!
Coco Gauff:
“My mentality, I’ve been fighting for every point and I will do today.
“I have a good game, I’m able to put power back and I’ll give my best out there today.”
Sabalenka:
“I’m really proud of the hard work I’ve done. The last three years have been crazy but I’m happy I was able to show my best tennis.
“I’m ready for a lot of long rallies!”
US Open women’s final - latest updates
We’re at Arthur Ashe Stadium for this final, of course - over half a century since he triumphed in the US Open.
US Open women’s final - latest updates
We should be about ten minutes away from the finalists getting out on the court.
Warm-up schedules are done and both Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka will be with us soon.
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