American teenager Coco Gauff fulfilled the potential she has long promised by landing her first Grand Slam title with a fightback win over Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final.
Gauff, seeded sixth, started slowly in front of an expectant home crowd but grew in confidence to wear down second seed Sabalenka in New York.
Gauff, 19, clinched a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win on a delirious Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I feel like I’m in a little bit of shock at the moment,” Gauff said.
“I feel like God puts you through tribulations and trials and that makes this even sweeter,” added the American, who lost in her only other major singles final at the 2022 French Open.
“I’m thankful for this moment. I don’t have any words.”
Australian Open champion Sabalenka, meanwhile, must wait for a second major title but the 25-year-old Belarusian can at least console herself with the knowledge she will become the world number one for the first time.
Gauff will rise to a career-high third when the latest rankings are released on Monday – but claiming her first major at her home Grand Slam is what really matters.
When sealing victory with a backhand winner on her first match point, Gauff immediately fell on to the court and sat on the sideline with her head in her hands.