![\"Sabalenka](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/aryna-sabalenka-belarus-reacts-runner-930996022.jpg\")
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Sabalenka suffered heartbreak in the US Open final in 2023Credit: Getty<\/p>\n
It calls to mind their dramatic US Open<\/a> final in 2023 – the only other time that they have met with the trophy on the line.<\/p>\n Gauff was just 19 when she took on Sabalenka, who had already won a major that year at the Australian Open<\/a>, and many expected her to claim her second. <\/p>\n When the first set went to Sabalenka 6-2, many would have been forgiven for thinking the match was already a foregone conclusion.<\/p>\n However, what followed was one of the most thrilling comebacks in a major final as Gauff rallied to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-2 as Sabalenka uncharacteristically collapsed<\/a> and lost all composure in her tennis. <\/p>\n The result left both players emotional, with Sabalenka unwilling to hide hers as she stormed to her bench and began to uncontrollably cry. <\/p>\n When asked in her post-match interview what she’s most proud of from this year, she fought back tears again as she said: “I don’t know.”<\/p>\n That match still haunts the 26-year-old to this day, who admitted that while she has learnt lessons, she still gets flashbacks <\/a>from it. <\/p>\n “That was very difficult match, I got a little emotional and had this little flashback on last year’s final, meaning the crowd atmosphere,” said after the 2024 US Open final.<\/p>\n For Gauff, the 21-year-old admitted that she was surprised she cried, as it’s something that she and her Dad never do.<\/p>\n “I do never cry but the US Open happened. I wasn’t expecting that, okay? Y’all say what you want, I was not expecting that,” she said on Instagram at the time.<\/p>\n “I don’t think I was crying, to be honest, I think that girl in the video was crying because I don’t like to cry. Not in front of people, I’ll cry alone, I’ll cry over a movie or a TV show but in front of people, no.<\/p>\n 3<\/p>\n Coco Gauff is already a Grand Slam champion at the age of 21Credit: Getty 3<\/p>\n Gauff also admitted she was left in tearsCredit: Getty<\/p>\n “Because I’m supposed to be a thug. Just kidding. I’m like my dad though, for real. Today was the first time I’ve ever seen my dad cry<\/a>. He doesn’t want me to tell y’all that but he got caught in 4K. He thinks he’s so hard but he’s not.”<\/p>\n Since that US Open final, the pair have met three times – all semifinals – with Gauff winning the most recent clash at the 2024 WTA Finals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Their overall record is 5-4 in the American’s advantage, but Gauff will know that records mean nothing in finals. <\/p>\n![\"Coco](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1670648487.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Gauff](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/coco-gauff-celebrates-victory-aryna-843845365.jpg\")
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