American Coco Gauff, 19, gained her first Grand Slam title, after taking the U.S. Open women’s singles title in 3 units in opposition to Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus.
Gauff gained 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to develop into most effective the 3rd American youngster to win the overall grand slam of the 12 months, becoming a member of the ranks of Serena Williams and Tracy Austin.
The remaining time an American lady gained the event was once in 2017 when Sloane Stephens bested fellow American Madison Keys.
USA’s Coco Gauff reactys as she performs Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka throughout the US Open tennis event women’s singles ultimate fit on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 9, 2023.
Angela Weiss/AFP by the use of Getty Images
“I feel like I’m a little bit in shock in this moment,” Gauff stated throughout on-court remarks following the win.
“I’m just thankful for this moment, I don’t have any words for it, to be honest,” she stated.
USA’s Coco Gauff reacts after profitable the US Open tennis event women’s singles ultimate fit in opposition to Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka throughout on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, Sept. 9, 2023.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP by the use of Getty Images
After profitable, Gauff bumped into the stands to hug her folks, trainer and different visitors of her participant’s field. Gauff stated nowadays was once the primary time she’s ever observed her father
The youngster additionally made a pointed commentary to the naysayers, pronouncing, “Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me.”
“To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were putting gas,” she stated.
Coco Gauff of the United States with the winner’s trophy after her victory in opposition to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus within the Women’s Singles Final on Arthur Ashe Stadium throughout the US Open Tennis Championship 2023 on the USTA National Tennis Centre, Sept. 9, 2023.
Tim Clayton – Corbis/Corbis by the use of Getty Images
The championship fit marked the primary look through each athletes in a U.S. Open ultimate.
Gauff, the No. 6 seed, was once the primary American youngster to compete within the U.S. Open women’s ultimate since then-19-year-old Serena Williams faced off in opposition to her older sister, Venus Williams, in 2001.
With the win, the Florida phenom is the 10th teen to win the U.S. Open women’s singles championship — and the youngest American to say the title since Serena Williams gained in 1999 on the age of 17.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Coco Gauff of the United States pose for a photograph previous to their Women’s Singles Final fit on Day Thirteen of the 2023 US Open on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, on Sept. 9, 2023, in New York.
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Gauff was once additionally certainly one of 4 Black American avid gamers — along with Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys and Ben Shelton — to succeed in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam event, the primary time that has took place within the recreation’s open technology, which started in 1968.
She remaining performed in a Grand Slam ultimate in 2022, dropping the French Open to Iga Swiatek. Last month, the teenager gained the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, turning into the youngest participant to take action.
In an on-court interview after Thursday’s semifinal, Gauff stated it approach so much to make it to the U.S. Open ultimate.
“A lot to celebrate, but, you know, the job is not done,” Gauff stated.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus returns a shot in opposition to Madison Keys of the United States throughout their Women’s Singles Semifinal fit on Day Eleven of the 2023 US Open on the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, on Sept. 7, 2023 in New York.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Sabalenka, 25, the No. 2 seed, reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open in 2021 and 2022. She gained her first profession main title in January, on the Australian Open.
Even with the loss, Sabalenka will develop into the No. 1 women’s tennis participant on the planet when the Women’s Tennis Association’s scores are up to date subsequent week. Gauff’s rank will develop into No. 3.
Saturday’s champion will take house $3 million, whilst the runner-up will declare $1.5 million.
Gauff reached the championship after beating Karolina Muchova, of the Czech Republic, in two units on Thursday. The fit was once not on time for almost an hour after 4 spectators protested in opposition to local weather exchange. Two of the protesters have been arrested.
Sabalenka defeated Keys on Thursday in 3 units — two of which have been tiebreakers — to succeed in the U.S. Open ultimate.
“I’m most proud that I was able to most of the times handle my emotions pretty well and focus on myself, not on the ranking,” a tearful Sabalenka stated of her 12 months in on-court remarks Saturday.
She stated Gauff “played unbelievable” and that she hopes she and Gauff “play many more finals — different results, hopefully,” giggling. “Congrats, you’re amazing.”
ABC News’ Joshua Hoyos contributed to this document.
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