It doesn't get much bigger than this as 19-year-old tennis superstar Coco Gauff goes for glory and her first major title in the 2023 US Open final.
In her way stands world number 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka who somehow came through a bruising three set battle with Madison Keys in her semifinal. Despite being 6-0 5-3 down against the American number 17 seed at one point, the Belarusian rallied to defy the odds and claim her place in Saturday's showpiece finale.
LIVE: Coco Gauff takes on Aryna Sabalenka in US Open final
Gauff herself beat number 10 seed Karolína Muchová in straight sets and impressive fashion in her semifinal which kept her strong form going at the tournament. She's dropped just three sets en route to the final and has overcome difficult opposition including the likes of Elise Mertens, Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Ostapenko as she hunts her first major win.
In this article, The Sporting News brings you all the odds, best bets and predictions as Gauff and Sabalenka clash for the 2023 US Open women's title.
MORE: Coco Gauff at US Open: Updated TV schedule, scores, results for 2023 tennis tournament
Gauff vs. Sabalenka match facts
- Date: Saturday, September 9
- Start time: 4 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. BST
- Location: Arthur Ashe Stadium (New York, USA)
- Last meeting: Sabalenka won 6-4 6-0 (March. 15, 2023 | Indian Wells 2023)
Gauff vs. Sabalenka prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Coco Gauff to win (+100)
- Score prediction: Coco Gauff to win in three sets
We're doing it and picking Gauff to win her first ever major title at the 2023 US Open. It just feels like it's meant to be in a way, doesn't it?
Obviously Sabalenka comes into this clash as the favourite with the bookmakers but she's had less time to recover from her gruelling semifinal clash with Keys. On top of that, Gauff will be backed by a raucous New York crowd that will be desperate to see the 19-year-old lift her first major at Flushing Meadows. The Belarusian has struggled mentally in recent years and in a hostile atmosphere, that could influence the outcome of this match.
| Gauff to | Sabalenka to win | |
|---|---|---|
| BetOnSports (UK) | 1/1 | 4/5 |
Gauff vs. Sabalenka best bet
- Pick: Coco Gauff to win the opening set
- Odds: 1/1 (BetOnSports)
Although two of the three sets she has dropped at this tournament so far have been opening sets, we're expecting Gauff to fly out of the blocks in New York backed by her home crowd.
Sabalenka herself lost the opening set of her semifinal 6-0 which perhaps highlights her tendency to get lost in the most difficult of occasions though before that, he did win her other four matches in straight sets which showcases her skill and strength.
Gauff has also won the opening set during four of their five previous head-to-head encounters which could prove critical in this final.
Gauff vs. Sabalenka flier bet
- Pick: Coco Gauff to win 2-1 on sets
- Odds: 10/3 (BetOnSports)
We're giving the edge to Gauff in this final thanks to a number of different reasons.
One of those comes in the form of the pair's prior head-to-head record, one which the American leads by three wins to two.
Interestingly, two of those have come in three sets and given that the duo are extremely well matched in terms of form throughout 2023 on the whole, we fancy the same outcome again this time around in the 2023 US Open women's final.
