© Simon Bruty/USTA
On the 50th year of the US Open becoming the first of the four Grand Slams to give parity of pay to both the men and women playing in it, an American woman won the US Open singles title. On Saturday, Coco Gauff fought a three-setter past Aryna Sabalenka to clinch her first Major crown, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.Over the fortnight, as Gauff came through one round after another, her wins and the way she acquired these wins created ripples as to whether the 19-year-old had it in her to make it to the title round.
And, once she did so, would she be able to come up with a similar performance – if not better – than in all these earlier rounds, to hoist the trophy. In the end, Gauff did all of these and beautifully at that.In the final, Sabalenka went, to borrow the popular phrase, “hammer and tongs” and at.
The 25-year-old, who will take her place as the world no. 1 officially on Monday, 12th September, seemed to feel the momentousness of the event she was contesting. She made mistakes and yet was able to keep herself ahead in the first set against Gauff, eventually pocketing the set and putting herself in the lead.From the second set onwards, Sabalenka’s inability to fire clean winners…
