Poland's Iga Świątek has claimed her first US Open title, beating Tunisia's Ons Jabeur in straight sets 6-2, 7-6 (5).
World number one Świątek breezed through a powerful first set, but had to overcome some nervous moments in the second as Jabeur lifted her game, saved a championship point and forced a tiebreaker.
But Świątek held her nerve to claim her seventh title of the year and firmly establish herself as the number one player in the women's game.
"This tournament was really challenging because it's New York, it's so loud, it's so crazy," Świątek said after the match.
"Ons, [you played] such an amazing tournament.
"I know this is already a pretty nice rivalry and I'm sure you're going to win more of them."
On the evidence of this performance Jabeur — and the rest of the women's field — may have their work cut out if they are to loosen the 21-year-old's grip from the top spot in the women's game at present after another assured and composed performance way beyond Świątek's years.
The match, between the top two women players in the world this year, threatened to be one-sided sweep after 21-year-old Świątek blew away Jabeur with precise hitting and exceptional movement across the court.
Winning 12 of the first 14 points, including a break to love, Świątek was 3-0 up in the blink of an eye and, but for a brief rally from Jabeur, who won the next two games, would have claimed the first set even faster than the 30 minutes it took her.
The second set looked to be going the same way as Jabeur seemed to let the occasion — her second-straight grand slam final — get to her, again falling 3-0 down.
However, the Tunisian gradually warmed to the occasion, briefly challenging to prolong the match while breaking Świątek twice to set up the tie break.
The inconsistency in Jabeur's performance ensured that the fightback would only be brief though, as both women initially struggled to enforce their will over the deciding moments.
Świątek though prevailed in straight sets, her 10th-straight final appearance in which she has not dropped a set.
The win is Świątek's third grand slam triumph, having won the French Open in 2020 and 2022.
She is the first woman since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to collect two major titles in a single season.
It's unlikely to be the last time she does so, with the youngster poised to establish her dominance over a notoriously inconsistent women's draw.
In a US Open that saw the probable retirement of one of the women's game's all time greats in Serena Williams, it might just be that the baton has well and truly been passed to the young Pole.
Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog.
Key events
To leave a comment on the blog, please log in or sign up for an ABC account.
Live updates
By Simon Smale
Who can stop Iga Świątek?
A seventh title this calendar year for Iga Świątek, who is on another level to the rest of the field.
She is still yet to drop a set in a final that she's been in this year and, frankly, is a long way clear of any of her nearest challengers.
And she's still only 21 years old! Remarkable.
Ons Jabeur will be second in the world rankings come Monday, but she looked a long way off the level required in this match - although we all know that she is capable than more than what she showed today, particularly in that first set, where Świątek just came out and blitzed her.
But the question still stands.
If not Jabeur, then who?
Świątek will head Down Under for next year's Australian Open as a huge favourite now that she has won a grand slam away from her preferred clay and really, if she keeps this up, the world is her oyster.
By Simon Smale
The start of a 'pretty nice' rivalry
Iga Świątek is now speaking.
She's going at 100kph - very excited, as you can understand.
"It was such a challenging time. Coming back after winning a grand slam is always tricky," she says.
"For sure this tournament was really challenging because it's in New York it's so loud it's so crazy ... there are so many temptations in the city.
"Ons, such an amazing tournament, such an amazing season. I know this is already a pretty nice rivalry and I'm sure you're going to win more of them."
She echoes Jabeur's comments about inspiring people at home - she is the first Polish woman to win the US Open.
Świątek is given a very small cheque for a very big amount — $2.6 million. Not bad.
By Simon Smale
'I'm gunna keep working hard and we'll get that title some time soon' Ons Jabeur
Ons Jabeur is speaking now.
She looks heartbroken. Very emotional.
"I wanna thank the crowd for cheering me up," she says.
"I really tried. Iga deserved to win today.
"I don't like her very much right now right now but it's OK," she adds with a smile.
"I know I'm gunna keep working hard and we'll get that title some time soon."
Lovely stuff. She's such a great speaker on court.
She says that she wants to help inspire more champions from Africa.
"It's just the beginning of many things," she finishes.
By Simon Smale
Shared birthdays?
We're hearing at the presentation that we're celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Arthur Ashe stadium.
Iga Świątek is 21.
By Simon Smale
It's a 21st century win
Iga Świątek is only 21. What do most 21 year olds do when they've just done, well, anything?
Jump straight on the mobile, of course.
I assume she's talking to absent family members rather than scrolling her socials, by the way, but you never know.
By Simon Smale
Jabeur must be heartbroken
Ons Jabeur did not get things going her own way at all today - in fact, it was her worst performance of the tournament, despite that second set comeback.
Jabeur did go straight to Świątek though, crossing the net to offer her congratulations.
It's sportsmanship of the highest order and just what you'd expect from the woman who has broken down so many barriers already in her career, and will likely move to world number two when the new rankings come out later this week.
By Simon Smale
Iga Świątek wins the US Open
The world number one sinks to her knees as Jabeur sends her shot long before jumping up and thanking her heartbroken opponent.
Now, hand covering her mouth, Świątek runs to her team and high fives up the wall to them.
Hands covering the mouth and eyes now, before she returns to the centre of the court to applaud the crowd, who eventually get over their disappointment of not having a third set, to celebrate their champion.
By Simon Smale
Second set tie break: Świątek 6-6 Jabeur, 6-2
How are the nerves?
Great for Jabeur! What a backhand winner down the line for the first mini-break of the tie break 0-1.
Świątek attacks the second serve and gets the mini-break straight back as Jabeur goes wide. 1-1.
Jabeur goes long again and Świątek has the advantage 2-1.
Long from Świątek after the net cord just forced her to readjust. 2-2.
Nobody has won a point on their serve yet in this tie break.
Until now, Świątek forces Jabeur to go long. 3-2.
Jabeur goes long and then kicks the ball away in frustration - and into the crowd. She did something similar against Tomljanović. She also had a bit of a pop and an outburst as well as they changed ends. 4-2.
Świątek finds the net with a looping return, 4-3.
Świątek finds the net again! This time after a short rally. 4-4.
Long from Świątek and Jabeur suddenly has the advantage in this tie break, 4-5, and aren't the crowd letting her know it. Big response from people who have paid an awful lot for tickets and want more tennis for their buck.
Świątek with a gorgeous forehand down the line to level things up - what a shot off the back foot. 5-5.
Jabeur finds the net, another weak shot from the Tunisian and that's match point Świątek, 6-5.
Some delays in the serve as more idiots shout from the stands.
Jabeur goes long!
By Simon Smale
Świątek 6-5 Jabeur*, 6-2.
Jabeur gets a bit to acute with her angles on the cross-court rally and sends the ball into the tramlines, 0-15.
Sliding Jabeur, can't get the ball back. Good, advancing shot from Świątek, 0-30.
Świątek nets now after a baseline rally, 15-30.
Świątek goes long with her shot off another full rally. 30-30.
Świątek gets another winner 30-40.
Świątek scurried to get a new racquet for championship point. A superstition?
It hasn't worked for her, going long for deuce.
Unreturnable first serve right at the crucial moment! Adv Jabeur!
Świątek finds the tramlines and we're heading to a tie break!
By Simon Smale
*Świątek 5-5 Jabeur, 6-2.
A miss-hit return from Jabeur pulls Świątek in, but then Jabeur goes way long and wide with her attempted winner. 15-0.
Jabeur sends a weak shot into the net, 30-0. Fatigued-looking from the Tunisian.
Wide from Świątek, 30-15.
Świątek is taking far more time over her serves than Jabeur does. I'm not sure it always helps her.
Brilliant from both women! What a point! Jabeur sent the drop shot in, Świątek chipped her return over the net, then Jabeur got back, great reactions at the net from Świątek, Jabeur retrieved superbly, then could only net a power forehand from Świątek, 40-15.
Wide from Świątek, 40-30.
Jabeur nets the return and, again, Świątek is one game away from her second major of the year.
By Simon Smale
Świątek 5-4 Jabeur*, 6-2
Jabeur is given the run around by Świątek there, and nets from out wide. 0-15.
Świątek this time goes long in the rally, 15-15.
Too long from Jabeur, really long in fact to end a mid-length rally. 15-30.
That's better from Jabeur though, hitting early and forcing Świątek to stretch back beyond the baseline, 30-30.
Long and wide from Świątek now, Jabeur asserting some dominance again on her serve, 40-30.
Świątek nets the return as she went after the second serve and that's 5-5.
By Simon Smale
*Świątek 4-4 Jabeur, 6-2
Magnificent stuff at the net from Świątek, and wonderful retrieving at the baseline from Jabeur! Świątek goes long and Jabeur ends up on her back pumping her fists. 0-15.
Long from Jabeur on the return off Świątek's second serve. 15-15.
That's been a feature of this match - every time Jabeur gets a sniff, she turns away and lets Świątek back in.
Brilliant at the net from Jabeur! The drop shot was, this time, a good one, Świątek came in, got the ball back but then Jabeur was right there to scoop the ball into the open court. She wheels away, arm up as the Queens Colosseum roars it's approval. We are entertained! 15-30.
Long from Świątek! 15-40!
Long from Jabeur, who did so well to get back on top in that rally after Świątek pulled her from pillar to post. 30-40.
Jabeur nets! A disappointing unforced error after all the work she's done up to now in this game, deuce.
Świątek with the unreturnable serve to the body, Adv Świątek.
Double fault! That's not a good time for your serve to desert you. Świątek is taking so long when under pressure like that and this time it's hurt her. Deuce.
Świątek nets! A good rally from Jabeur to stick in there. Pressure back on Świątek, Adv. Jabeur.
Jabeur now nets! Deuce!
This feels so pivotal. So much tension in the arena.
Long from Jabeur after a rally in which both women were finding the lines, looking for the winner with every stroke. Adv. Świątek.
Long from Jabeur with the return and Świątek holds.
She's one game away now.
By Simon Smale
Świątek 4-3 Jabeur*, 6-2
Jabeur, it goes without saying, simply has to hold here.
Good start, Świątek missing her shot. 15-0.
Świątek misses again with the return this time, 30-0.
Jabeur can't capitalise though, missing with her shot. 30-15.
And again, Świątek hasn't been pushed much in this game but when she has, she's bounced back very well. 30-30.
That's better from Jabeur, Świątek looks up at her box in a little bit of frustration as another return doesn't make it back. 40-30.
Świątek nets the return and we're back at 4-4!
Who'd have thought that at 6-2, 3-0?
By Simon Smale
*Świątek 4-2 Jabeur, 6-2
Jabeur tries the drop shot again but it doesn't come off, again. 15-0.
Świątek just shows an glimmer of an opening here, Jabeur getting consecutive winners to go 15-30 up.
Jabeur clenches her fist after landing a solid forehand winner down the line. 15-40, a double break point.
Out from Jabeur, 30-40.
Jabeur goes long from the baseline to bring up deuce - she looks very negative out there as if even her small wins aren't enough to rouse her from this slump.
The crowd try to do it for her as Świątek nets, Jabeur gets encouragement from her box and clenches her fist as she holds advantage and another break point.
Angles from Świątek, pushing Jabeur impossibly wide but then she nets the follow up and we're back on serve again!
Is Jabeur able to harness this positive energy now?
By Simon Smale
Świątek 3-2 Jabeur*, 6-2
Huge ovation from a crowd desperate for more tennis as Jabeur gets up from her chair and heads to the baseline.
An even bigger one as Świątek sends a shot long. 15-0.
Świątek hits back though, 15-15.
Jabeur looks down the line, Świątek gets back though but Jabeur is in the ascendancy and gets the point, 30-15.
Jabeur shows Świątek a second serve and she gobbles it up, hammering a return winner cross-court 30-30.
What a shot from Świątek, cross court winner on the two-handed backhand.
Break point.
Long from Świątek, Jabeur testing that forehand for Świątek and coming up trumps. Deuce.
Oh that's a shot from Świątek, she opened up herself on that forehand and powers the ball down the line. Jabeur questioned her for the forehand side again, this time Świątek answered. Adv. Świątek.
And there goes the initiative back to Świątek, Jabeur surrendering any sort of momentum she had gained with a netted shot.
By Simon Smale
*Świątek 3-1 Jabeur, 6-2
Świątek finds the net and Jabeur's supporters cheer again. 0-15.
Jabeur sends a cross-court shot wide after Świątek takes plenty of time to get her serve toss right. 15-15.
Jabeur with a lovely cross-court winner that kisses the line, 15-30.
More whistling and cat-calling in the serve, the umpire lets out a frustrated "please".
Jabeur senses something and wins the point to set up two break points. 15-40. Is there a chink in Świątek's conentration?
Świątek comes to the net, gets the first shot back but can't deal with the power on the second and it's another mid-set rally from Jabeur.
Just as she did in the first set, she's come back from 0-3 down to get things back on serve. Can she maintain her focus this time around?
By Simon Smale
Świątek 3-0 Jabeur*, 6-2
An exchange of points opens the game but then Jabeur nets. 15-30.
Double fault there too, her fourth of the match. 15-40.
Two more break points. Jabeur seems like she's already broken mentally.
Not on the scoreboard in this game yet though, Świątek nets her shot from the baseline. 30-40.
The New York crowd try to rouse Jabeur.
Świątek again nets, deuce.
Świątek changes the angle and then a tired forehand hammers into the net from Jabeur. Adv. Świątek, another break point.
Świątek sends the return into the net and wafts her racquet in annoyance. Deuce.
Good serve Jabeur! Advantage Jabeur!
Another brilliant first serve, Świątek long with the looping return and that's a superb hold from Jabeur - much needed as she tries to rescue her final.
By Simon Smale
*Świątek 2-0 Jabeur, 6-2
How important was that break so early in this second set.
Świątek misses with that shot though, 0-15.
Świątek fights back, Jabeur again trying to force something that's not there. 15-15.
Świątek goes long this time in another rally, 15-30.
The crowd are getting restless, the umpire has to warn them as a couple of individuals call out as Świątek prepares to serve.
Good rally but then Jabeur tries a little skipping drop shot that just wasn't on. It's a strange effort from Jabeur so far. Perhaps she's just out of ideas? 30-30.
Good rally that time too, but Jabeur finds the net. 40-30.
Oh that time there was a better shot on the leap from Jabeur, but Świątek was still able to get it back AND find the line with the winner.
She is extraordinary, irrepressible at the moment.
She leads 3-0 in the second set.
