Aryna Sabalenka has pulled off one of the greatest turnarounds during her phenomenal campaign in the US Open. The new world No. 1 player was one set down and on the brink of a heartbreaking defeat against Madison Keys. However, the Belarusian tennis star showcased her remarkable on-court prowess, grit, and determination in order to turn the match in her favor.
In a three-set thriller in New York, it was the reigning Grand Slam champion who prevailed after clinching two tiebreaker sets against her American opponent, 0-6, 7-6, 7-6. After making an outstanding comeback, Sabalenka, however, has now shattered the 19-year-old prodigy Coco Gauff’s longing wish at her home Grand Slam event.
Coco Gauff’s ‘All-American final’ dream gets crushed by Aryna Sabalenka
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Prior to the Belarusian tennis star’s massive victory against her Madison Keys, the American tennis prodigy was touting for her compatriot on the tour. In her press conference at the US Open, Coco Gauff further lavished praise on the former world No. 7 who could hit winners from all areas of the court.
In the process, the 19-year-old also brought to light her All-American championship matchup dream at the US Open. “Yeah, I think that if it were an all-American matchup, it would be really cool for American tennis in general,” Gauff said.
While reminiscing about the previous All-American encounter on the tour, the young WTA sensation revealed that it happened when Keys was in the final and she was in the junior’s championship match. Gauff added, “That would be a crazy kind of moment, full-circle moment.”
How Coco Gauff reached her first US Open final 👀@IBM | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/qLraL6DYzM
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2023
Given Gauff’s ‘All-American final’ assertions, now the main question arises: When was the last time two WTA American players squared off against each other in finals of the US Open?
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The All-American championship match happened almost half a decade ago
It was the American WTA players, Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys who locked horns in the finals of the US Open, five seasons ago. Despite a brilliant run on her home soil, Keys faced a thumping defeat at the hands of her 30-year-old compatriot in straight sets, 6–3, 6–0. Ever since Stephens remains the last American female player to have marked a major triumph in their home Grand Slam event in New York.
Now, after securing a place in the finals of this season’s US Open, Gauff is one match victory away from becoming another American to win the hard court and her first major title. But it won’t be an easy task for the tennis prodigy as she will be up against a reigning Grand Slam champion and the new world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka.
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Do you think Gauff will emerge vicarious in her blockbuster match against the Belarusian tennis star? Let us know in the comments section.
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