Sloane Stephens won the US Open title with a 6-3 6-0 victory in her all-American final against close friend Madison Keys.
Stephens headed into the clash as Sky Bet's marginal 13/8 outsider but proved far too strong for the 1/2 favourite as she stormed to a glory in just 61 minutes at Flushing Meadows.
It may have been an underwhelming affair between two players appearing in their maiden Grand Slam final but the triumph caps a remarkable summer for the 24-year-old, who returned from more than 10 months out with a foot injury in July and a month ago was ranked 934.
At 83 in the rankings, Stephens is the fifth lowest-ranked woman to win a slam title in the Open era and her ranking will now soar to 17.
Stephens, who was unable to walk after undergoing surgery in January, looked at her support camp in disbelief when Keys netted a final forehand before sharing a long embrace with her former junior rival at the net.
After climbing up into the stands for an emotional celebration with her support camp, Stephens returned to the court and sat beside Keys as the pair chatted and waited for the trophy presentation.
Stephens said: "It's incredible. If someone told me when I had surgery that I would win the US Open, it's impossible I would say. Coming back, just being able to keep it all together, this journey's been incredible and I wouldn't change it for the world.
"I should just retire now. I told Maddie I'm never going to top this. Things just have to come together and the last five or six weeks they really have.
"I just have to say thanks to my team because in the toughest times we stuck together. This one's for all of us."
Of her decision to sit next to Keys, Stephens said: "Maddie's one of my best friends on tour and to play her here, I wouldn't have wanted to play anyone else.
"I told her I wished it could have been a draw. If it was the other way round, I know she would have done the same for me. I'll support her no matter what."
Keys fought back tears as she said: "Sloane is truly one of my favourite people. To play her was really special.
"Obviously I didn't play my best tennis and was disappointed but Sloane being the great friend she is was very supportive and if there's someone I had to lose to today, I'm glad it's her."
Attention now turns to Sunday's men's final between the hot 1/8 favourite Rafael Nadal and 11/2 underdog Kevin Anderson.