Coming from behind to beat Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff claimed her first Grand Slam title and became the first American teenager to be crowned at US Open since Serena Williams did as a 17-year-old in 1999.
The second-seeded Sabalenka gained the upper hand early, breaking Gauff's serve three times and winning the first set in 40 minutes. But the 19-year-old American turned the match around to beat the Belarusian 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
"It's been difficult, it's been a long journey to this point," Gauff noted. "I wasn't a fully developed player, and I still think I have a lot of development to go at that moment."
"I think people were putting a lot of pressure on me to win. Now I just realize that I just need to go out there and try my best," said the American afterwards.
With the victory, Gauff will ascend to world No. 3 in singles, a career-high ranking. Sabalenka, despite the loss, will become world No. 1 on Monday as a result of defeating Iga Swiatek, who reigned the world standings for 75 weeks, at this tournament.
"That's why probably I'm not super depressed right now. I'm definitely going to be," Sabalenka said.
"It's good that I can say I have been world No. 1, but I really would like to finish the year as world No. 1," Sabalenka added. "That's why I'm still positive, and I'm still motivated."
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