Linz (Austria): America's teenage tennis sensation Coco Gauff on Sunday claimed her maiden WTA title as she thrashed Latavia's Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 at the Upper Austria Ladies.
Serena and Venus Williams
With the win over Jelena in final, Gauff has become the youngest woman from her country to win a WTA singles title since 1991. The Williams sisters -- Serena and Venue -- were 17-year-old when they had bagged their first tour singles title.
Jennifer Capriati was the youngest women tennis star from America to claim WTA singles title. She was younger than Gauff when she won her first title in 1991. Capriati went on to win three grand slam titles -- Australian Open (2011 and 2002) and French Open (2001).
Gauff became an overnight sensation among tennis enthusiasts after she defeated her idol Venus Williams at Wimbledon in July.
After receiving a minutes-long standing ovation from 3,000 spectators, a delighted Gauff said, "I'll remember this day for the rest of my life."
"I had an amazing week and I hope to be back in the future." Gauff will shoot up from 110 in the rankings into the 80s, according to WTA calculations, after becoming the youngest American to earn a WTA trophy since Jennifer Capriati at Toronto 1991, nearly three decades ago.
The hype surrounding the youngster has grown this year after solid performances this summer at both Wimbledon and the US Open, where she was defeated in the third round by defending champion Noami Osaka, and her displays in Linz have enthralled tennis fans.
Gauff had to make a recovery in the final after sweeping the opening set but losing serve three times in the second as 2017 Roland Garros winner Ostapenko levelled.
But she came alive in the third set, going up two breaks before her opponent managed to save a pair of match points while trailing 5-1.
Ostapenko asserted herself with a break to make the score 5-2 in the third but was unable to extend her fightback, Gauff closing out victory a game later as Hawk-Eye electronic linecalling ruled an Ostapenko return long on the third match point.
"Well done today to Coco," Ostapenko said.
"You have a bright future, it was a pleasure to share the court with you today.
"This has been a tough week for me, but I'm so glad to have made it to the final, even if the result was not what I wanted."
With her debut week on the European indoor circuit a roaring success, Gauff is now scheduled to compete next week in Luxembourg to wrap up her WTA season.
