Coco Gauff wins the 2023 U.S. Open (screen capture)In just over two hours, Coco Gauff, 19, won her first Grand Slam title after defeating Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
This was thrilling to watch.
In winning the U.S. Open, she becomes the first American teenager to win the U.S. Open since Serena Williams won the tournament in 1999 at 17. This is only her second Grand Slam final, having lost the French Open final last year to Iga Swiatek.
Breaking News: Coco Gauff won her first Grand Slam singles title, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the U.S. Open final. https://t.co/PrYMzACcTF
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 9, 2023
Sabalenka dominated the first set, but Gauff turned it around. From the New York Times’ Lola Fadulu:
A long rally was the perfect example of how Gauff is beating Sabalenka. Gauff is like a wall, and the worst thing you can do when playing against a wall is trying to keep hitting harder with each shot, which Sabalenka appeared to be doing. Instead, she sent a shot wide after being outlasted by Gauff.
Gauff, who went pro at the age of 14, is now a Grand Slam champion at 19.
Over on ESPN, tennis legend Chris Evert said: “This is a new level of women’s tennis.”
On Monday, Gauff will jump from number 6 to number 3 in the world standings.
She did it 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 let’s go Coco!!!!!!! #USOpen champion pic.twitter.com/2uM6eptPs7
— Thando (@Ta_Fitty) September 9, 2023
Billie Jean King presents Coco Gauff with her first #USOpen trophy 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bCIDVwTzis
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 9, 2023
Coco is burning bright now 🗣 pic.twitter.com/yWfHHbjNPE
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023