Teenager Gauff flying the flag for American tennis

The 19-year-old emulates her idol Serena Williams, the last teen to win the women's title at the US Open

- Aditya Chaturvedi 

It was early in the second set when a crestfallen Coco Gauff looked at her box and said, "I'm trying". The 19-yearold had just missed another forehand. She was competing in her second Grand Slam final, inside a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium that was rooting passionately for the home favourite, but the weakest aspect of her game had been exploited thoroughly by her opponent up until that point.

At that moment, Gauff would have probably been reminded of her first appearance in a Major final, at the 2022 French Open, where Iga Swiatek crushed her in straight sets. She had been al prodigy, expected to work her way towards greatness. ut pressure can break even the best. Did she have it in her to own the biggest stage? About an hour after she uttered those words in desperation, Gauff had provided all the answers. In what was a remarkable comeback, the young American won 11 of the last 15 games to beat second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 and emerge the 2023 US Open women's champion.