Author: Barkha Roy
At a turning point in her tennis career, young American sensation Coco Gauff secured her first US Open title after a hard-fought battle. Gauff, the sixth seed, won 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 against Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed. This thrilling match, which lasted just over two hours, took place under a closed roof in the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. Gauff now holds a 4-2 lead in their head-to-head, with this season’s games resulting in one win apiece.
Still thinking about this match!
Can’t take our eyes off these highlights 🤩 @Chubb | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/bPkIL6ynNy
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023
The match began with Sabalenka dominating the first set, showing her prowess with eight winners compared to Gauff’s three, and breaking Gauff’s serve three times. Sabalenka’s momentum continued when she won the last four games of the first set.
However, Gauff’s extraordinary defensive skills proved almost impenetrable as the second set unfolded. She showed exceptional agility, chasing down balls and forcing errors from Sabalenka during the intense rallies. Gauff managed to secure the only break of the second set, establishing a 3-1 lead and thwarting three break points to level the match at a set apiece.
Coco Gauff won the US Open in epic fashion.
Match point 👇 pic.twitter.com/QMAwRod7B7
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023
In the decisive third set, Gauff continued to impress with his exceptional court coverage and precision, racing to a 4-0 lead. Although Sabalenka managed a brief comeback, breaking Gauff to make it 4-2, Gauff’s cross-court victory increased her double-break lead to 5-2.
Coco got the hardware! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bLPHK9aHk0
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023
Serving for his first Grand Slam title, Gauff kept his composure and ensured a flawless love game, sealing his victory with a brilliant passing shot.
In another notable achievement at the US Open, the duo of Anna Danilina and Harri Heliovaara emerged victorious, beating the top-ranked team of Jessica Pegula and Austin Krajicek 6-3, 6-4 in the mixed doubles final.
When the pressure was on in the mixed doubles final, Harri Heliovaara delivered this 🔥@Heineken_US Serve of the Day | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/5YDD05zz1y
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023
Danilina, who is currently 29th in the Hologic WTA Tour doubles rankings, celebrated her first Grand Slam title and made history by bringing Kazakhstan its first Grand Slam mixed doubles title. This triumph marked her fifth doubles title in total, including four on the WTA Tour. Earlier this year, she won the Hamburg title with Alexandra Panova.
What a Grand Slam mixed doubles title means for Harri Heliovaara and Anna Danilina! pic.twitter.com/TnLOIVlriZ
– US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023
Remarkably, despite this being the first time they have partnered up, Danilina and Heliovaara have shown remarkable synergy throughout their journey to the title. They lost just one set during their campaign, which came in their opening match, when they triumphed 6-3, 5-7, [10-7] against Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Matthew Ebden.