Coco Gauff Battles Back to Win Maiden French Open Title Over Sabalenka
American Coco Gauff captured her first French Open title on Saturday, June 7th, defeating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic three-set final. In a high-stakes contest marked by significant momentum shifts and challenging conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 21-year-old Gauff showcased remarkable resilience to secure a 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory, her second major championship.
Tense and Fluctuating Final
The final, the first at Roland Garros between the world's top two players since 2013, was a rollercoaster from the start. Sabalenka began strongly, leveraging her power to build an early 4-1 lead in the first set. However, a series of unforced errors allowed Gauff to fight her way back, eventually pushing the grueling 77-minute set to a tiebreaker, which Sabalenka narrowly clinched. Undeterred by the setback, Gauff immediately shifted the momentum in the second set, breaking Sabalenka's serve early and capitalizing on her opponent's mounting errors to take the set 6-2 with authority.
Gauff Holds Nerve in Decisive Third Set
The deciding set saw Gauff secure an early break of serve. Despite Sabalenka managing to level the score at 3-3, her visible frustration continued as Gauff broke back immediately. The American then held her nerve, serving out the match after 2 hours and 38 minutes to avenge her loss in the 2022 French Open final.
This victory mirrors her 2023 U.S. Open triumph, where she also defeated Sabalenka in three sets after losing the opener. She is the first American woman to win the singles title in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015.
Coco Gauff's triumphant comeback against the world's top player not only earns her a maiden French Open title but also solidifies her position at the pinnacle of women's tennis. Her ability to remain composed and strategically dismantle her opponent's powerful game under immense pressure marks a significant milestone in her burgeoning career, demonstrating a champion's resolve on one of the sport's grandest stages.
