Coco Gauff has fulfilled her dreams by landing her first Grand Slam title with a comeback win over Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final.
The 19-year-old clinched a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win on Arthur Ashe Stadium, making her the first American teenager to triumph at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 1999.
Gauff got off to a nervous start in front of an expectant home crowd and fell behind when she lost her confidence at 2-2 as Sabalenka won four games in a row to seal the opener.
But the sixth seed improved considerably in the second set as she raced to a 3-1 lead before she held serve to take the set and force a decider.
Gauff maintained her momentum with two early breaks that put her in command in the deciding set before the second seed took a medical time-out for treatment to her left thigh after finally getting on the board in the fifth game.
Her opponent found a way back in through a loose service game after receiving treatment, but the American responded brilliantly with another break and confidently closed out a victory in stunning fashion.
"It means so much to me, I feel like I'm a little bit in shock," said Gauff.
"My French Open (final) loss was a heart-breaker for me, but God puts you through trials and tribulations and that makes this even sweeter.
"I just knew if I didn't give it my all I had no shot at winning.
"Aryna is an incredible player and deserves to be number one.
"I'm thankful for this moment. I don't have any words."
Gauff will rise to a career-high third when the latest rankings are released on Monday, while Australian Open champion Sabalenka will rise to world number one for the first time.
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