Coco Gauff’s day of destiny finally arrived as she came from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka and win the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York; Watch the conclusion to the final Grand Slam of the year in New York – live on Sky Sports Tennis.Coco Gauff saw her dreams come true as the American teenager 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 remarkably consistent year in which she won the Australian Open and reached the semi-finals in Paris 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.Carrying home expectation, Gauff began nervously, dropping serve in the opening game before Sabalenka threw in errors of her own to help the American pull back to 2-2. But the match was being played entirely on the racket of the soon-to-be world No 1 and she landed more than she missed in winning four games in a row.Gauff found a foothold at the start of the second set, although errors were far outweighing winners. But Gauff, spurred on by an electric crowd, began to hang in rallies better and prompt Sabalenka to go for too much.
A huge roar greeted a double fault from Sabalenka that gave Gauff the break for 3-1 and the teenager grew in stature from there, holding serve to take the set and force a decider. She maintained her momentum with an immediate break of the Sabalenka serve to start the deciding set before motoring into a comfortable lead.The second seed took a medical time-out for treatment to her left thigh after finally getting on the board in the fifth game, and the delay gave Gauff some unwelcome time to think. A loose service game gave Sabalenka a way back in but Gauff responded brilliantly with another break and closed out a victory in stunning fashion. There were tears of a different nature for Sabalenka, who said as the crowd applauded: “You guys could have cheered like this during the match Sabalenka ended this superb rally with a stunning lob
“I just want to say congrats Coco, you played unbelievable. And to your team. You guys deserve this title. Many more to come I’m pretty sure. I hope we’re going to play many more finals – different result hopefully.” Sobbing heavily, the Belarusian added: “I want to send a lot of love to my family, sorry about this result. Coco Gauff turned pro at 14 years old. She graduated high school virtually from Paris while at the French Open. At just 19, Gauff has won over $11M, played in two Grand Slam Finals, and just became the first American teenager to win the US Open since 1999, Roger Federer has showcased his superb through-the-leg ‘tweener’ shots on multiple occasions at the US Open
Tennis is back on Sky, adding to the existing sports portfolio and reaffirming the broadcaster as the home of live sport in the UK & Ireland. Sky Sports’ new mixed reality studio features multiple custom built LED screens, integrated light ‘sabres’, and an open canopy roof, making the space alive with colour and energy to reflect the vibrancy of the last Grand Slam of the year.
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