The American Coco Gauffthe great promise of women’s tennis with only 19 years olddefeated the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka and was crowned this Saturday in the US Open conquering his first ‘grand slam’.
Gauff (6) signed a magnificent comeback against Sabalenka (2), who next week will be the new number one in the WTA, and took the title in Flushing Meadows (in addition to three million dollars in prize money) by 2-6, 6-3 and 6-2 in two hours and six minutes.
Called to be the heir of the sisters Serena y Venus Williamsthe young African American from Florida will rise to number 3 in the world on Monday after an unforgettable afternoon at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New Yorkwho went all out to support her in this historic triumph.
In the middle of a extraordinary atmosphere and with the support of thousands of compatriots (including Hollywood and sports stars such as Diane Keaton, Kevin Durant o Spike Lee), the American fell to the ground crying after her victory and drew a heart dedicated to her fans with her hands.
Coco Gauff’s reaction after beating Sabalenka. Photo: AFP.
Later he went to hug his family and then went to his coaches’ box, the Spaniard Pere Riba (main ‘coach’) and the American Brad Gilbert (who previously worked with legends like Andre Agassi).
“I’m so fucking proud of you,” Gilbert told him.
In this final, the ‘great’ New Yorker could not have had a more fearsome rival, since Sabalenka, the great dominator of the women’s circuit this year, had reached the semifinals of the four ‘grand slams’ and had won three tournaments (the Open Australia, Adelaide and Madrid).
Brad Gilbert, coach of Coco Gauff. Photo: REUTERS/Mike Segar.
Gauff, who will also be number one in the doubles ranking on Monday with her partner on the court Jessica Pegula, She is the third American under 20 years old who conquers the US Open (she is accompanied on this record by Serena Williams and Tracy Austin).
She was also the youngest American to reach the New York final since Serena Williams in 1999.
In addition, he removed the thorn that he had been dragging since 2022when she lost her first grand slam final when she fell at Roland Garros against the Polish Every Swiatek.
Coco Gauff, US Open 2023 champion. Photo: REUTERS / Mike Segar.
After their surprising elimination in the first round of the last edition of Wimbledonwhere she started as the seventh seed, Gauff is going through an excellent moment with her victory in Washington, her first victory in a Masters 1,000 (Cincinnati) and now with her first ‘great’ already in the showcase.
Gauff, who also won Auckland at the beginning of the year (four victories in his four finals in 2023), has also won twelve games in a row, his best streak so far in a career that points to infinity.
Powerful start
I came chastened Sabalenka of the semifinals, where a painful start in the first set against Madison Keys (17) forced her to seek an epic comeback in three sets.
This afternoon was the complete opposite, as the Belarusian had a powerful start, dominating with her right hands from the back of the court against a Gauff forced to defend herself and run non-stop.
Very aggressive, Sabalenka achieved a ‘break’ in the first game of the match against a Gauff who continued to give her a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifice and, above all, kilometers and kilometers traveling from side to side along the back of the court.
Coco’s joy and Aryna’s disappointment, who will be 1 in the world from Monday. Photo: REUTERS/Mike Segar.
There was especially one point in the middle of the set that summed up the first set: Gauff, without a doubt one of the most athletic tennis players on the circuit, miraculously saved three shots in a row that seemed like winners and Sabalenka needed a fourth to finish it off.
Gauff returned the break of serve (2-2), but Sabalenka did not take her foot off the accelerator, added two more breaks and closed the first set in 40 minutes.
Reaction and comeback
The Florida tennis player did not give up, as she reacted in the second set against a Sabalenka who continued to shoot very hard but who was burdened by unforced errors (16 in that set compared to only 7 for Gauff).
Spurred on by the stands, Gauff regained confidence and hit excellent shots such as a cross and backhand pass that even Sabalenka herself applauded.
Gauff took the lead with a break to make it 3-1, except for a break option from Sabalenka in the next game and went ahead to force the third set with the stands totally convinced of the comeback.
The euphoria of the stadium moved to the court, where Gauff began to melt Sabalenka who sank in the third set with 16 unforced errors.
Instead, a tremendously confident, very serious and absolutely focused Gauff went up to the net to finish off two breaks in a row (4-0) and clenched her fist knowing that she had glory within reach.
A break for medical assistance Sabalenka did not cool down Gauff, who no longer looked in the rearview mirror to seal his first victory in a ‘big’ event in an Arthur Ashe Stadium turned into a huge party.
2023-09-09 15:37:11
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