Sports

US Open: Teenager Coco Gauff defeats Sabalenka to win first Grand Slam

Coco Gauff saw her dreams come true as the American teenager, on Saturday night, beat 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 on Monday after a consistent year in which she won the Australian Open and reached the semi-finals at the French Open and at Wimbledon.

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.

Speaking after the game, 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.

“I just knew if I didn’t give it my all I had no shot at winning. Aryna is an incredible player and deserves to be number one.”

Taking the microphone and before receiving the trophy from Billie Jean King on the 50th anniversary of equal prize money, Gauff added: “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.

“Thank you so much to my team. I know it’s been a long month but your faith has never wavered.

“And thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me. I tried my best to carry this with grace. To those who thought you were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it and now I’m burning so bright.”

The Star