The final Grand Slam event of the current season has concluded. It turned out to be a captivating competition, gifting us with a somewhat sensational new champion. If one recalls the odds from Yajuego apuestas prior to the tournament, you’d notice that Coco Gauff, the eventual winner, had relatively high odds but wasn’t the primary favorite.
Let’s delve into the most important and intriguing moments of this competition.
Final: Coco Gauff [6] vs. Aryna Sabalenka [2] – 2:6, 6:3, 6:2.
The young American, Gauff, just 19 years old, displayed a remarkable performance in the tournament, after wins in Washington and Cincinnati. Over the past few months, she emerged as a well-rounded tennis player with no clear weaknesses. Her technique and tactics have significantly improved. Gauff has matured into a player who can adapt and modify her gameplay on the fly, a trait that wasn’t common earlier.
Many anticipated her success. She was heralded for titles, drawing comparisons to the Williams sisters. After reaching Wimbledon’s fourth round in 2019, it became clear that major titles awaited her. Since then, she had contended for Grand Slam titles and has now triumphed. Gauff became the first American teenager since Serena Williams in 1999 to clinch a Grand Slam singles title.
Her journey to the final was intense. She faced top-tier players, including Elise Mertens and Caroline Wozniacki. The much-anticipated match against the world number one, Iga Swiatek, didn’t take place. However, Gauff managed to overcome Jelena Ostapenko. In the final, she succeeded in beating Aryna Sabalenka, who clearly lost control of the situation, evident from her reaction post-defeat.
With this victory, Gauff will break into the top three for the first time, while Sabalenka will ascend to the top of the WTA rankings. Furthermore, Sabalenka displayed unprofessional behavior when she directed expletives towards her coaching team during the semi-finals. Such outbursts on the court from her no longer surprise many.
Outstanding Match: Sorana Cirstea [6] vs. Elena Rybakina [4] – 6:3, 6:7(6), 6:4, third round
Although Rybakina wasn’t considered the primary favorite, her ranking attests to her capability for grand victories. The start of the tournament was excellent for the Kazakh player: first a win over Marta Kostyuk from Ukraine, then her match against Ajla Tomljanovi? got canceled. Facing Cirstea in the third round, Rybakina seemed the favorite. However, the seasoned Romanian showcased that she’s not ready to step back just yet.
Their thrilling match lasted three hours and captivated many fans. Cirstea exhibited her class, defeating Olympic champion Belinda Bencic and reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 2009. However, her journey was halted by Karolína Muchová.
Breakthrough of the tournament: Peyton Stearns
Peyton Stearns emerged as a true revelation this season. She showcased stellar results on clay courts, reaching the WTA 250 finals in Bogota and defeating Ostapenko at Roland Garros. When playing on home turf, American players often excel, and Stearns was no exception. Victories over Tomova, Tauson, and Bulter helped her advance to the second week of a major tournament for the first time.
In the round of 16, she bested Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, who unfortunately sustained an injury, leading her to withdraw from doubles competition. This injury was particularly disheartening given it was the last tournament for her doubles partner, Barbora Strycova.
Tournament Surprises
Several surprising moments occurred during the tournament:
- Maria Sakkari – Ranked eighth in the world, Sakkari unexpectedly crashed out early, losing to Rebecca Masarova. Psychological issues seem to be affecting her, considering she faced a similar situation at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
- Iga Swiatek – Starting the tournament on a dominant note, Swiatek once again fell to Jelena Ostapenko. The immense pressure of maintaining her top rank for 75 weeks was evidently felt by the Polish athlete. A change in rank might help her find renewed motivation.
- Madison Keys – In impeccable form, Keys navigated her way to the semifinals, where she missed her chance for a win. Her emotional response during the press conference indicated she recognized the significance of the lost match.
Lucky Player of the Tournament – Yanina Wickmayer
Although Wickmayer couldn’t complete the qualifying final, she was given a second chance as a lucky loser. In the first round, she faced Vera Zvonareva and secured a win. However, against Madison Keys, fortune didn’t favor her.
