American tennis prodigy Coco Gauff has captured her first Grand Slam title after fighting back to defeat Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the U.S. Open women’s single event in New York on Saturday.

The 19-year-old began the adventure in front of a star-studded audience inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium on the back foot but she grew into the match and stirred into a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 three-set win over Sabalenka.

Apart from the shining trophy, Gauff’s feat came alongside a cash prize of $3 million as she continues to rise to become the new face of tennis in America.

There is also a consolation for Sabalenka as she will for the first time in her career become the world number one on Monday.

“I feel like I’m in a little bit of shock at the moment,” Gauff said after the victory. “I feel like God puts you through tribulations and trials and that makes this even sweeter.”

“I’m thankful for this moment. I don’t have any words.”l

“When I hugged my dad, I didn’t see him, because he went immediately for the embrace – but I heard him crying. I have never seen that man cry in my life,” she said about the emotional moment she hugged her parents after the win.

“My mum, I knew she was going to cry regardless if I won or lost. Honestly [I was thinking] nothing. The whole time I was saying to myself, ‘Oh my goodness, how is this real?,” an elated Gauff queried.