US Open 2023 Women’s Final HIGHLIGHTS: Gauff beats Sabalenka to win maiden Grand Slam title

Women’s Doubles Final - Gabriela Dabrowski (CAN)/Erin Routliffe (NZL) vs Laura Siegemund (GER)/Vera Zvonareva - 10:30PM IST

Men’s Singles Final - Novak Djokovic (SRB) vs Daniil Medvedev - Not before 1:30AM IST

First up, it’s the runner-up - Aryna Sabalenka, who is clearly very emotional after the loss.

“You guys could have supported me like this during the match,” jokes Sabalenka as the crowd gives her a huge round of applause.

Sabalenka receives her runner-up trophy. The Belarusian will be the top-ranked player in the world when the new rankings come out on Monday.

And now, the champion and new World No. 3 Coco Gauff!

Gauff: “I knew if I didn’t give it my all, I had no shot at winning.”

“Honestly, thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me. A month ago I won a 500 title and people said I was going to stop there. Three weeks ago I won a 1000 title and people said it was as good as it was going to get. Three weeks later, I’m standing here with the trophy....Those who though they were adding water to my fire, they were reallly putting gas on it and I am burning so bright right now.”

And on the 50th anniversary of the equal prize money for men and women at Slams, Billie Jean Kings hands over the trophy to Coco Gauff

Gauff (19 years, 181 days) is the third American teenager to win the US Open title along with Serena Williams (1999) and Tracy Austin (1979, 1981).

Gauff falls flat on her back in disbelief. Remember, she is just a teenager. But she has won a Major. The American goes into the stands to meet her parents before going to her coach Pere Riba and consultant Brad Gilbert. This has truly been the summer of Coco Gauff with titles in Washington and Cincinnati but this, surely, tops both of them.

Gauff serving for the title. Wins the opening point after Sabalenka sends a forehand long. Sabalenka tries a drop shot but fails. Backhand crosscourt from Sabalenka goes wide and Gauff has three championship points at 40-0.

And she needs only one as she hits a backhand pass to win the US Open!!!!

Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win her maiden Grand Slam title!!!

The Belarusian has started swinging. A forehand winner to start the service game - 15-0.

Once again, solid defending from Gauff draws the error from Sabalenka as the second seed hits a crosscourt backhand wide after a 20-shot rally, the longest of the match. Gauff up 30-15. Make that 40-15 as Sabalenka commits a double fault.

Gauff breaks back as she hits a simple smash to close the game. One game away from her maiden Major title!

Gauff serving. Opportunity for Sabalenka here as she goes 30-15 up on the American’s serve. Sabalenka blasts an inside-out forehand winner to go 40-15 up and earn two break points.

Sabalenka gets one break back as Gauff hits a forehand wide.

Sabalenka has asked for a medical timeout to get some treatment on her left thigh.

Sabalenka up 40-0 in no time. However, a double fault and a forehand gone long from the second seed make it 40-30.

Gauff is relentless.

Sabalenka gets on the scoreboard in this final set with an inside-out forehand winner.

Sabalenka needs to do something now as the title is getting away from her. Begins nicely with an overhead smash and an inside-out forehand winner to go 30-0 on Gauff’s serve.

Tries to go big again but this time, the forehand from Sabalenka lands wide - 30-15. Sabalenka gets the chance to go 40-15 up but instead it is 30-all as she fails to execute the overhead smash and Gauff hits a simple backhand pass.

Gauff up 40-30 now with a backhand winner in the ad court. Gauff holds and the Arthur Ashe Stadium is buzzing!

The defensive work Gauff is putting in tonight has been simply brilliant. Sabalenka has been forced to hit extra shots and that has resulted in more errors. Here’s another one - a forehand gone long. Followed by another gone long - 30-0 to Gauff.

Wide serve into the deuce court from Sabalenka to draw a heavy forehand return from Gauff - 15-30. Trouble for Sabalenka as she sends a crosscourt backhand wide and faces a break point at 30-40.

And Gauff is up by a double break after Sabalenka sends another forehand long.

Gauff serving to consolidate the break. Sabalenka wins the first rally with a crosscourt forehand shot.

However, Gauff is up 30-15 soon as the second seed hits a backhand wide before a forehand return from her hits the net and goes out. Gauff holds serve and seems to be in control of this final now!

Sabalenka serving first in the deciding set. Wins the opening exchange with a crunch forehand crosscourt shot.

Gauff shows her defensive skills yet again and Sabalenka ends up netting an overhead smash - 15-all. Wide serve in the deuce court followed by a backhand winner in the ad court - Sabalenka up 30-15.

Another unforced error from Sabalenka as she nets a forehand - 30-all.

Gauff gets the chance to break as she draws a heavy backhand from Sabalenka to go 40-30 up. Amazing defense for Gauff yet again but this time, Sabalenka wins the point with an overhead smash - deuce.

Another break point for Gauff after Sabalenka nets a forehand. And Gauff gets the break this time as Sabalenka tries to hit a lob but does not get enough elevation on it. Easy forehand volley for the American.

Lovely point construction from Gauff to keep Sabalenka engaged in a crosscourt exchange before finding the ad corner with a forehand down the line - 15-0.

Deep forehand return from Sabalenka just cacthes the baseline and that unsettles Gauff who hits a forehand - 15-all. Sabalenka decides to go for a slice forehand return and fails - 30-15 to Gauff.

Gauff with a forehand volley winner goes 40-15 up after a 15-shot rally. Two set points.

And Gauff wins the second set 6-3 after Sabalenka hits an inside-out forehand long!

Sabalenka serving to stay in the set. Up 30-0 quickly.

Gauff hits a forehand winner after getting the short ball - 30-15. Sabalenka makes it 40-15 with a forehand winner down the line. Two game points. Gauff starting to find her range with the forehand and gets the reward - 40-30.

However, Sabalenka manages to hold and asks Gauff the question of serving it out.

Double fault for Gauff, her fifth of the match.

Sabalenka twice nets the backhand return and Gauff is up 30-15. Make that 40-15 as the second seed goes for a backhand winner down the line but only finds the net.

Gauff holds serve and keeps her advantage intact.

Sabalenka overhits a backhand to lose the first point but wins the second with a beautiful backhand down the line - 15-all.

Gauff seemed to have won the point with a backhand lob but Sabalenka tracks back and makes a stunning forehand lob that lands in - 40-30. Gauff nets a forehand return and Sabalenka gets out of a tricky game to hold serve and stay behind by a single break.

Gauff serving to consolidate the break.

Longest rally of the match - 16 shots - and it is Gauff who loses the point with a netted forehand - 0-15.

Unbelievable. Gauff hits a great T serve. Sabalenka somehow gets a backhand on it, the ball hits the net and lands just in on Gauff’s side allowing Sabalenka to close in and win the point - 30-15

Another forehand from Sabalenka which goes way beyond the baseline - 30-all.

Sabalenka gets a chance to break back but the second seed hits a crosscourt forehand wide - deuce.

Now Gauff can close the game after Sabalenka nets a forehand return. And she does as she draws a heavy return from the second seed.

The forehand continues to misfire for Gauff. Another serve return flies off the court and Sabalenka is up 30-15. But not for long though as the same shot has been troubling Sabalenka as well. She overhits one and now, it is 30-all.

Gauff tries the drop shot, Sabalenka gets to it and rips one crosscourt forehand which makes it impossible for Gauff to cover it - 40-30.

Gauff shows her athleticism as she gets to a crosscourt backhand volley from the second seed and hits a crosscourt backhand winner - deuce.

Gauff gets a chance to break after Sabalenka overcooks yet another routine forehand. And she does not need to do much as Sabalenka commits a double fault.

Gauff struggling with her serve a bit. Another double fault. And just like that, the first serves are back. An ace wide into the ad court to go 40-15 in no time.

Wow! Brutal forehand return from Sabalenka lands right where Gauff had just served from - 40-30.

Big hold for Gauff.

Sabalenka serves. Great wide serve from Sabalenka in the deuce court before following it up with a forehand winner in the same corner to go 30-15 up.

Gauff overcooks a forehand return in the next exchange and it is 40-15 to the second seed. Sabalenka holds as Gauff’s crosscourt forehand return goes wide.

Gauff begins second set with a double fault before Sabalenka comes up with a forehand down the line winner on a second serve to go 30-0 up.

Another double fault from Gauff and Sabalenka has two break points. Gauff saves one with a body serve which draws a netted forehand return from Sabalenka. And she saves the other one too as Sabalenka hits a backhand slice wide - deuce.

Sabalenka overcooks the backhand return on a T serve and Gauff has a chance to close the game. This could be very crucial for the teenager’s title hopes. And Gauff does hold after Sabalenka nets a forehand return.

Sabalenka serving for the set. Gauff nets a backhand return in the opening exchange and Sabalenka hits an ace wide in the ad court to go 30-0 up.

Big T serve from Sabalenka, Gauff just about makes the forehand return which bounces close to the net and threatens to spin back to the other side but Sabalenka adjusts her feet and hits a simple forehand shot to win the point and go 40-15 up.

Sabalenka wastes first set point by netting a forehand. However, she does convert the second as Gauff nets a forehand return this time.

Sabalenka wins first set 6-2 in 40 minutes.

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Double fault from Gauff. Her first of the match. Follows it up with a T ace - 15-all.

Sabalenka able to make deep returns and that draws another forehand error from the teenager who is now 15-30 down. Two chances for Sabalenka to go up by a double break as a crosscourt forehand from Gauff goes wide. But she only needs one as this time, Gauff nets a backhand.

Sabalenka gets a short ball and manages to net the forehand. Her unforced errors count keeps increasing. But she also keeps putting pressure on the Gauff forehand and drawing errors - 15-all.

Wide serve from Sabalenka into the deuce court, the forehand return from Gauff is long - 30-15. Make that 30-all as Sabalenka overhits a forehand.

Break point for Gauff as Sabalenka sends a forehand wide - 30-40. The topsy-turvy start continues.

For once, Sabalenka hits an inside-out forehand winner from the middle of the court - deuce.

But Gauff gets another chance to break back after Sabalenka makes another forehand error. A T ace from Sabalenka to save this one.

Stunning defending from Gauff way behind the baseline but Sabalenka eventually wins the point with a smash and asks the crowd to make some noise. Big second serve up the T from the second seed and Gauff hits the forehand return long.

Sabalenka holds.

Gauff now drawing more errors from the forehand of Sabalenka to go 30-0. Gauff lets Sabalenka switch to her backhand mid-rally and that costs her as the second seed hits one gorgeous return down the line - 15-30.

Make that 30-all as Gauff overhits a forehand. Pressure back on the teenager. Another weak forehand from Gauff and she is down 30-40. Chance for Sabalenka to restore her advantage.

Big T serve from Gauff sets up the forehand winner - deuce. However, she nets a forehand again in the next rally and gives Sabalenka another chance to break.

Sabalenka nets the easiest of the forehand volleys but credit goes to Gauff to keep the rally going - deuce.

Sabalenka does break after two consecutive forehand errors from the American.

Sabalenka with another double fault and she is down 0-30. Wide serve in the deuce court followed by a forehand winner in the ad corner - Sabalenka makes it 15-30.

Another double fault from Sabalenka and Gauff has two break points out of nowhere.

Big serve in the deuce court from the second seed to draw the forehand error from Gauff - 30-40.

Sabalenka nets a forehand . Her unforced errors count - 9. Gauff breaks!

Gauff serving. A perfect game for Gauff except a netted forehand at 30-0.

Sabalenka serves. Moves to 30-0 lead as Gauff hits a backhand return long. The American is yet to settle in this final. Sabalenka up 40-0.

Makes a double fault. Still, two more game points. Wide serve into the deuce court, Gauff’s crosscourt forehand return goes wide.

Gauff won the toss and elected to serve. And Sabalenka wins the opening exchange as Coco Gauff hits a crosscourt backhand on-the-run wide. Unforced error from Sabalenka as the crosscourt forehand return lands well wide - 15-all.

Same error from the second seed again and it is 30-all. Sabalenka attacking the Gauff forehand and draws a heavy win to go 40-30 up and earn a break point.

Great court coverage from Gauff to make it to Sabalenka’s crosscourt forehand from the net, force her to make one more shot and the Belarusian nets the backhand volley - deuce.

Sabalenka with a superb inside-out forehand winner to earn another chance to break. And she does it this time with a crosscourt backhand winner!

The players enter the arena. First, it is the home favourite Coco Gauff followed by Aryna Sabalenka.

Kazakhstan’s Anna Danilina and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara, who met by chance just over a week ago, became first-time Grand Slam champions with a 6-3, 6-4 win over top-seeded Americans Jessica Pegula and Austin Krajicek in the mixed doubles final.

Sabalenka is bidding to become the eighth women in the Open Era to win the Australian Open and US Open in the same year.

Angelique Kerber - 2016

Martina Hingis - 1997

Monica Seles - 1991, 1992

Steffi Graf - 1988, 1989

Martina Navratilova - 1983

Chris Evert - 1982

Margaret Court - 1969, 1970, 1973

Gauff (19 years, 181 days) is trying to become the third American teenager to win the US Open title along with Serena Williams (1999) and Tracy Austin (1979, 1981).

Semifinal: 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(5) against Madison Keys (USA)

Quarterfinal: 6-1, 6-4 against Qinwen Zheng (China)

Round of 16: 6-1, 6-3 against Daria Kasatkina (Russia)

Round of 32: 6-1, 6-1 against Clara Burel (France)

Round of 64: 6-3, 6-2 against Jodie Burrage (Great Britain)

Round of 128: 6-3, 6-2 against Maryna Zanevska (Belgium)

Semifinal: 6-4, 7-5 against Karolina Muchova (Czech Republic)

Quarterfinal: 6-0, 6-2 against Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia)

Round of 16: 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 against Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)

Round of 32: 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 against Elise Mertens (Belgium)

Round of 64: 6-3, 6-4 against Mirra Andreeva (Russia)

Round of 128: 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 against Laura Siegemund (Germany)

Played: 5 | Gauff: 3 | Sabalenka: 2

2023 Indian Wells, Quarterfinals: Sabalenka won 6-4, 6-0

2022 Toronto, Third Round: Gauff won 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4)

2021 Rome, Third Round: Gauff won 7-5, 6-3

2020 Ostrava, Second Round: Sabalenka won 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(2)

2020 Lexington, Second Round: Gauff won 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4

American teenager Coco Gauff can expect a capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium to be in her corner as she fights formidable second seed Aryna Sabalenka for the U.S. Open crown.

Sabalenka is already assured the number one spot in the new rankings after the tournament but does not expect an easy road to a second Grand Slam title this year, with vocal home fans hungry to see sixth seed Gauff collect her maiden major title.

The Belarusian won the Australian Open to kick off a superb 2023, beat Gauff en route to the Indian Wells final and defeated Iga Swiatek in the Madrid title match.

The Roland Garros and Wimbledon semifinalist ended Swiatek’s long reign as world number one thanks to a terrific New York campaign, where she did not drop a set until her late-night semifinal battle against American Madison Keys.

Gauff will also bring plenty of fight to the court and can launch herself from a domestic fan-favourite to outright American tennis royalty with a win in New York.

She has produced the best tennis of her career this season, winning in Washington before downing Poland’s Swiatek in a breakthrough victory en route to her biggest title in Cincinnati last month.

The US Open final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka is scheduled to start at 1:30 AM IST and will be telecast live on Sony Sports network while the live streaming will be available on Sony Liv.