PARIS, France — 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 highly charged match with numerous shifts in momentum, securing her second major title following her 2023 U.S. Open victory. In that tournament, she also overcame a one-set deficit 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 missed a backhand on Gauff’s second match point, the 21-year-old American collapsed onto the clay, covering her face with her hands before lowering her forehand. After sharing a moment with Sabalenka at the net, she embraced filmmaker Spike Lee and celebrated with her team, marking three years since her initial 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 performance, thrilling the audience with an exceptional rally during the third game. The crowd erupted in cheers after an exciting exchange of drop shots culminated in Gauff lobbing the ball over Sabalenka, who unsuccessfully attempted a between-the-legs shot, allowing Gauff to seize the advantage with a net 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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