US Open final 2023 LIVE: Coco Gauff wins second set vs Aryna Sabalenka for women’s singles title

A really good second set from Gauff and Sabalenka looked increasingly annoyed with her big-hitting approach going wayward.

On we go for the deciding set, Sabalenka to serve first.

Big rally, big winner. Gauff sends Sabalenka to her forehand over and over…then is perfect with a forehand right onto the line down the opposite side. Good start for the American.

And now Gauff is really starting to control where and how this game is played: she sends Sabalenka all over the court, gradually moving forward and eventually volleying the winner to move to set point.

Sabalenka overhits another and we’re all square and heading for a deciding set!

Sabalenka looking just to keep herself in with a shout, then.

A fierce rally ends in Gauff sending one just outside the lines, but the next time around her finisher is perfect.

It’s not enough though as Sabalenka takes the game, forcing Gauff to go back into bat to claim the second set herself.

Double fault again to start the game but Gauff recovers and plays a couple of sumptuous winners and returns to force points.

Sabalenka with double the unforced errors in this set again, 14-7.

Gauff wraps it up with a fizzing backhand which Sabalenka spins out of play and it’s one game more needed for the American to claim the second set. Sabalenka will serve to stay in it.

The absolute level of a few of those shots in this game – astonishing.

The pick of them sees Sabalenka smash one into the corner, Gauff somehow manages a return on the spin which lobs the Belarusian, she sprints back and in turn lobs Gauff who has run forward…and it lands perfectly to claim the point en route to the game.

Now, can she hold service and extend a big lead?

Sabalenka gets some fortune as she clips the net and just touches the line – 3mm inside, apparently.

She moves to a break point and has a quiet moment at the back of the court; it doesn’t do the trick as again she wildly overcooks a forehand and sends it miles out.

Another unforced error immediately follows as she powers a forehand into the net as it drops out the sky and Gauff duly wraps up the game. It’s 4-1 and the American is back in a great position to level up with the second set.

A man wandering around in the stands is told to sit down about three times and takes his place on a step. Looks pretty sheepish.

Sabalenka’s frustrations only grow as she puts another one long – and the entire crowd is on their feet cheering as Gauff sends an absolute stunner past her on the next point for deuce.

Double fault for Sabalenka – on the break point! And Gauff takes a massive step forward, leading with a break for the first time tonight.

Double fault from Gauff. Third of this set. Groans from the crowd – but they turn to cheers when she wins the next point. Every single one just seems so intense, so must-win at the moment.

A magic ace puts Gauff to 40-15 and she gives a fist-pump, clearly happy that her service game is picking up, but Sabalenka’s return on the next one is unstoppable, accurate and brilliantly placed. Gauff holds, though.

Two good winners from Sabalenka to put herself in the driving seat for the second game.

Gauff can’t control her backhand returns against those powerful strikes from the forthcoming new world No.1 and it’s a routine hold of serve.

Back they come for the second set, Gauff needing to improve her service game considerably to get back into this match.

A couple of smart points keep her in the game and a beautiful sliced backhand bring the game to deuce.

She needed a little more though and she absolutely finds it with a fine finish to win the first game in the second set.