Chris Evert def. Evonne Goolagong, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2
It was an era of superpowers in women’s tennis, as witnessed in the first three Slams of the year – Goolagong took the Australian, Evert the French and Billie Jean King the crown at Wimbledon.
At the US Open, Evert zipped into the finals without losing a set, only to drop the first of the title match to Goolagong. She rallied back to win the next two sets, winning the title at age 21.
It was the first of four straight crowns at the US for Evert, and sealed her first time finishing No. 1 on the year.