PARIS — Coco Gauff has won the French Open for the first time by defeating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in Saturday’s final.
The second-ranked Gauff emerged victorious in a thrilling and tension-filled match, capturing her second major title after clinching the 2023 U.S. Open. In that event, she also staged a comeback from a set down to defeat Sabalenka in the final.
It was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 final in Paris since 2013, when Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years.
When Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff’s second match point, the 21-year-old American collapsed onto her back, covering her face with her hands and then resting her forehead on the clay. After a handshake at the net with Sabalenka, she embraced film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her team, three years following her first finals loss at Roland-Garros.
Sabalenka started the deciding set strongly, sticking to her high-risk approach to hold her first service game.
Gauff elevated her game, impressively winning a thrilling rally during the third game that drew loud cheers and applause from the audience. After a tense exchange of drop shots, Gauff delivered a lob that Sabalenka managed to chase down, attempting a between-the-legs shot. However, Gauff intercepted it at the net and concluded with a decisive winner.
Gauff was consistent from the baseline and earned a break point which she converted when Sabalenka double-faulted, giving her a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka turned toward her box and shouted in frustration but then regained her composure, breaking back to level the match at 3-3.
She was broken again at love, however, and Gauff then held serve twice to claimed the title after a match that lasted 2 hours, 38 minutes.
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