In our first
preview of the
US Open final,
Aryna Sabalenka will face
Coco Gauff in a battle to lift the trophy at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, for the first time in their careers.
Second seed Sabalenka has achieved great things across her run at this year's American Grand Slam. Most notably, the Belarusian is set to make her debut as World No. 1 in the WTA Ranking after bettering Iga Swiatek's final result at the tournament. The Polish player, who held the top spot for 75 weeks, will be dethroned when the rankings are updated next week.
Moreover, the 25-year-old made it all the way to the semi-finals without dropping a set, ousting the likes of thirteenth seed Daria Kasatkina and rising talent Qinwen Zheng, who is also the 23rd seed.
Meanwhile, Gauff has lived up to the hype at Flushing Meadows after a successful North American swing. The 19-year-old won the WTA 500 DC Open and the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open in August, leading many to put her as the home favorite for the US Open title.
Throughout her run at the tournament, Gauff has defeated some tough competition, including fellow teen sensation Mirra Andreeva, former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, and twentieth seed Jelena Ostapenko who ousted Swiatek in the fourth round.
Gauff looks more confident after semi-finals
Gauff and Sabalenka have faced each other five times before, with the American narrowly leading their head-to-head 3-2. However, Sabalenka won their most recent match at the 2023 Indian Wells in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0.
Nevertheless, Sabalenka looked less solid in her semi-final match against American player Madison Keys. Although she fought back hard to win the match, the Australian Open champion didn't get a game on the board until the second set, losing the first 0-6. After this, the next two sets both went to a tiebreak.
In comparison, Gauff was steady and solid throughout much of her semi-final clash against Karolina Muchova which she won in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5. This could give her more confidence and mean she is more well-rested going into the final.
Both players will be aggressive in their game, and Gauff will have to defend against Sabalenka's intensity, but the young star has looked so focused and composed throughout the Slam that this seems doable for her.
Gauff has an answer for a variety of shots and has shown great stamina which will help her to defend against Sabalenka's strong serve and to continue attacking herself. She will also have the advantage of a home crowd firmly on her side, which could give her the edge.
Prediction: Coco Gauff to win in three sets.
