Gauff is just 19 years old
There is a new face of American women's tennis - and she's just 19 years old.
Coco Gauff won the Women's U.S. Open on Saturday, defeating Aryna Sabalenka, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
The win marks Gauff’s first ever grand slam title in just her second final.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates a point against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their Women's Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 09, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
She is the youngest American, male or female, to win a U.S. Open since Serena Williams did so at age 19 in 2001 (Williams also won two years prior when she was just 17 years old). Gauff also joins Williams and Tracy Austin as the only American teenagers to win the tournament.
Gauff's victory did not come easily, as she actually lost the first two games of the match. She answered by winning the next two, however, she then drooped the next four to lose the first set, thanks to a bunch of unforced errors and some power behind Sabalenka’s shots.
But Gauff rose to the pressure, and with a huge homecourt advantage in Queens, she was able to take the second set, 6-3, to take the final into a decisive third set.
Coco Gauff of the United States returns a shot against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their Women's Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 09, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
US OPEN PROTESTER WHO GLUED HIS FEET TO FLOOR SAYS NYPD TOOK HIM TO PSYCH WARD AFTER HIS ARREST
Gauff held onto the momentum, breaking Sabalenka’s serve in a wild first game. Sabalenka had a couple bad unforced errors, and Gauff’s crazy defense led to winning the game.
The teen then held her serve to go up 2-0, broke Sabalenka’s serve to go up three games to none, and then held her own again. At this point, it was just a matter of how much longer the match would take.
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after winning the second set against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their Women's Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 09, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Sabalenka held her serve to cut the third-set definite to 4-1, snapping a five-game losing streak. She then took a medical timeout, perhaps as a stalling tactic, and it worked a bit, as she broke Gauff's serve to make it a 4-2 set. But only for a bit.
Gauff broke Sabalenka for a third time to go up 5-2, and now served for the victory. Gauff held her serve with ease as Sabalenka didn't even get a point.
Gauff fell to the floor with tears in her eyes and a standing ovation from the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She then found her family in the stands, giving everyone a huge hug.
She won 12 of the final 18 games to claim the victory.
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in their Women's Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 09, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Gauff’s previous best finish in Queens was in the quarterfinals last year – she lost the 2022 French Open to Iga Swiatek.
Despite the loss, Sabalenka will be officially named the world's No. 1 ranked women's player after Swiatek lost in the Round of 16.
But that is certainly a title Gauff can take sooner rather than later.
