COCO Gauff saw her dreams come true as the American teenager who beats Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-3 6-2 to claim her first Grand Slam title at the US Open.
The 19-year-old became the first American teenager to triumph at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 1999.
Sabalenka will be the new world No 1 today after a consistent year in which she won the Australian Open and reached the semi-finals at the French Open and at Wimbledon.
Gauff will rise to a career-high third in the latest rankings, but claimed her first major at her home Grand Slam is what really matters.
But that will be scant consolation for the 25-year-old from Belarus after she put herself in a position to win her second Grand Slam title only to fold as Gauff claimed her first, thrilling a raucous crowd with a memorable victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Gauff, who reached her first slam final at Roland Garros last summer, losing heavily to Iga Swiatek, said: “It means so much to me, I feel like I’m a little bit in shock. My French Open final loss was a heart-breaker for me, but God puts you through trials and tribulations, and that makes this even sweeter.”
Taking the microphone and before receiving the trophy from Billie Jean King on the 50th anniversary of equal prize money, Gauff said: “Thank you first to my parents.
“Today was the first time I ever saw my dad cry. He thinks he’s so hard but…he took me to this tournament when I was young to watch Serena and Venus (Williams) compete, so it’s incredible to be on this stage.” – Skysports
