The US Open women’s final has its two protagonists clear: Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka. The 19-year-old American prodigy has become the spotlight of national tennis, while the Belarusian challenger arrived in New York at dawn on Monday to step into the place held by Iga Swiatek, the top-ranked player. The first final in New York for both players is anticipated to be a fierce and thrilling clash that could define the season at Flushing Meadows.
Gauff earned a spot in the final after climbing to sixth in the world rankings, edging out Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-5 in a taut semifinal. Sabalenka navigated a demanding path, fighting through a challenging semifinal against Madison Keys that featured a dramatic comeback. After dropping the first set 0-6, Sabalenka clawed back to win 7-6 with a commanding tiebreak (7-1) and sealed the match in a final-set tiebreak (7-6, 10-5). This victory positions her to chase her second Grand Slam title in New York, following her triumph at the Australian Open earlier in the year.
Coco A Star
No matter the outcome, Gauff has already electrified American tennis and energized a nation hungry for a new generation of champions. Less than a year after the era-defining retirement of Serena Williams, attention centers on a young woman who has already etched her name alongside tennis legends in record books that track youth achievement and breakout moments. She is the youngest American to reach a final at the year’s last major since Williams first claimed the title in 1999, a milestone that signals a broader shift in how the sport is perceived in the United States.
The Saturday final reflects the rapid ascent of a player who first announced herself to the world at Wimbledon at age 15. A season that included a deep run at Roland Garros last year, despite Wimbledon’s early exit this year and a coaching update involving Pere Riba, has culminated in a summer that featured strong showings in Washington and Cincinnati before arriving in New York. Gauff’s game has shown a blend of explosive serve, aggressive returns, and the speed to cover the court, elements on display throughout this tournament and particularly in the semifinal against Muchova.
The American’s performance has included a mix of power and poise, with quick serving and a strategic sense for when to take charge on crucial points. Even as Muchova pushed back after a long tussle, Gauff kept the pressure high, securing a first-set lead and delivering a late double-break in the crucial moments to seal the match. The tension, the crowd, and the atmosphere underscored a summer that has lifted interest in American women’s tennis and reaffirmed that the sport remains intensely watched from coast to coast.
On the other side, Sabalenka’s semifinal produced its own drama. The Belarusian faced a stern test against Keys, whose experience and resilience made every point count. The first set went decisively to Keys at 6-0, but Sabalenka rebounded with intensity and focus. The second set unfolded with sustained pressure and extended rallies, and Sabalenka captured a tense tiebreak to push the match to a decider. The decisive third set delivered nerves, momentum swings, and a moment of near-miraculous defense that finally turned Sabalenka’s way as she edged through to the final.
In those closing moments, Sabalenka’s patience and precision showed through as she finally closed out the match with the ten-point decider, a moment that will be remembered in New York tennis lore. Her backhand slice, aggressive returns, and relentless pursuit of every ball left no doubt about her intent to add another major title to her resume and to demonstrate that she is a force to be reckoned with on hard courts and beyond.