Coco Gauff claimed her first French Open title and second career Grand Slam on Saturday, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 in a gripping final on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The 20-year-old American, already a US Open champion, adapted better to the turbulent weather in Paris and overcame Sabalenka’s explosive start to complete the comeback. It is the first time Gauff has defeated the world No.1 in a major final.
Sabalenka, who has added variety to her game in recent seasons, began with purpose, using drop shots to disrupt Gauff’s rhythm on the baseline. She led 4-1 in the opening set and recovered from a late slump to edge the tiebreak. However, her reliance on high-risk, first-strike tennis ultimately unravelled. The Belarusian hit 69 unforced errors compared to 37 winners, many of them coming under pressure in longer rallies against Gauff’s patient, high-margin style.
Gauff, who lost the 2022 French Open final to Iga Świątek, appeared calmer in the face of swirling winds and rising tension. While Sabalenka frequently delayed her service motion to wait for gusts to subside, Gauff pressed on and capitalised on her opponent’s frustration. “I just tried to play what was in front of me,” Gauff said after the match. “I knew the wind might affect both of us, but I was ready to adjust point by point.”
The turning point came midway through the second set, when Gauff reeled off four straight games, forcing Sabalenka into increasingly wild errors. Though the top seed briefly threatened a revival, Gauff broke in the ninth game of the deciding set and served out the match with composure. The final game ended when Sabalenka sent a backhand long, completing a match where Gauff’s consistency outlasted Sabalenka’s erratic aggression.
This victory narrows the ranking gap between the pair and cements Gauff’s status as a major threat beyond the hard courts. She now becomes the first American woman since Serena Williams to win both the US Open and the French Open before turning 21. With Świątek and Sabalenka still dominant forces, Gauff’s adaptability may yet prove decisive in shaping the balance at the top of the women’s game.
