Image source, Getty Images

There it is! A wild looping shot from Gauff and Sabalenka seals the double break at the first opportunity.

She will serve for the set.

Now then, this is interesting.

Both of these players have already exerted a lot of energy in these early games but Sabalenka brings up two break points.

Is that the decisive breakthrough for Sam Schroder and Niels Vink in the wheelchair quad doubles final?

The Dutch top seeds have consolidated a break against Britain's Andy Lapthorne and South Africa's Donald Ramphadi on Louis Armstrong Stadium, taking a 4-2 lead.

They're just two games away from the title.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

I think Coco is absorbing the pace really well. We could hear Brad Gilbert shouting ‘fight, fight, fight for every point’, and that’s what she’s doing.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

The point of the match so far has Ashe going apoplectic.

A guy behind was climbing octaves quicker than Axl Rose.

Sabalenka responds with a rock'n'roll raised fist as she struts around her stage and asks for more plaudits.

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She's got it! Two break points rescued but Sabalenka gets there in teh end and that could be crucial hold of serve.

What a point!

How on earth Gauff managed to reach those shots as Sabalenka dragged her from left to right I have no idea.

The ooohs and ahhhs from the crowd got louder with every hit as Gauff somehow pulls off an outrageous backhand but Sabalenka eventually smashes the volley.

The Belarusian needs one point to hold serve and consolidate that break.

Break point saved with a thunderous forehand.

But Gauff chases every shot down at deuce and wins herself another break point as Sabalenka sends one long.

Another break back chance for Gauff.

It's been an intriguing watch, this.

Sabalenka raises her arms to her player box in frustration as she misses another forehand, advancing towards the net but unable to get it over.

She rallies for 30-15 but then sends one long to bring Gauff back into the game.

Kate: It’s not that late compared to the last couple of night’s for the semis. I was so late for work yesterday! Sabalenka in straight sets tonight for me.

Jeff Tarango
Former American tennis player on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Whereas Aryna Sabalenka is making forehand errors off the ground, that forehand return is very dangerous and Coco Gauff needs get that second serve over to the backhand side at any cost.

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A third break point opportunity for Sabalenka and this time she makes no mistake.

A crunching forehand to the baseline and Gauff can only send her return into the net.

Sabalenka restores her break advantage in this opening set. Entertaining stuff, so far.

What was that?!

Sabalenka tees herself up for the winner perfectly but misses the volley at the net. A simple shot for the Belarusian.

Sabalenka will not want to see that one again. Deuce.

Break point saved with a lovely forehand winner across the court.

Sabalenka will get another crack, though, as Gauff hits into the net.

Despite those misses and mistakes, Sabalenka has a break point.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Flushing Meadows

First signs of tension from Sabalenka.

After handing back the break, she gesticulates towards her team and points to her ears.

She is either telling them she can't hear anything or complaining abut the crowd.

Maybe both.

Oh dear, Sabalenka is certainly a bit rattled by the occasion. The crowd are really against the new world number one, as you might expect.

She skews a forehand wide but some nerves from Gauff as well as she misses a forehand of her own. 30-30.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

I am pretty sure the crowd are having an impact on Aryna Sabalenka.

It can’t be easy to have this many people cheering against you and clapping every mistake you make.