Gauff Outshines Sabalenka in Three-Set Battle, Claiming First French Open Victory
Exciting Wins for Coco Gauff at French Open
Winning her second Grand Slam title, the fierce 21-year-old American tennis player, Coco Gauff, defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final at the French Open. The scores were 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 - a testament to the tension and momentum swings during the game.
Gauff, currently ranked second, displayed an impressive ability to make fewer mistakes in this highly competitive match, marking the second time she bested Sabalenka in a Grand Slam final, after their 2023 U.S. Open encounter.
After lifting the winners' trophy and kissing it repeatedly, Gauff paid tribute to her family for supporting her throughout her journey. "You guys probably believe in me more than myself," she said, expressing her gratitude. Her parents, who have backed her since washing her clothes to keeping her grounded, played a pivotal role in her success.
This victory marks a historical milestone, as Coco Gauff is the first American woman to win at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. This year's final was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 final in Paris since 2013, much like Williams' victory over Maria Sharapova.
In an emotional moment, Coco Gauff fell onto her back, sobbing, immediately after securing her second match point. She then stood, covered her face, and sobbed some more while patting the clay with her left hand. After the match, she hugged director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage.
Reflecting on her earlier loss in 2022 at the age of 18, Coco Gauff admitted that it put her in a "dark place." She thanked the French fans, who cheered loud and clear for her on Court-Philippe Chatrier, and expressed her appreciation for their unwavering support.
On the other hand, an emotional Sabalenka also spoke about the difficult conditions and congratulated Coco Gauff on her well-deserved victory. "This will hurt so much. Coco, congrats, in the tough conditions you were a better player than me," she said.
Both players struggled with their game at the start, conceding 21 break-point chances and making 48 unforced errors between them. Sabalenka made 32 unforced errors alone in the first set, yet still won the first set. She ended up making 70 unforced errors in total, while Gauff totaled just 30.
The first set seemed to be headed Gauff's way when she led 3-0 in the tiebreaker. However, Sabalenka managed to rally and secured the tiebreaker with an impressive forehand volley at the net, a crucial moment in the game.
Gauff stepped up her game in the second set, playing more intelligently, while the crowd cheered louder when her smash at the net leveled the match.
The deciding set saw Sabalenka start strongly, but Gauff responded with an impressive display of tennis, earning a break point and converting it when Sabalenka double-faulted, giving her a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka regained her composure, breaking back to level the match at 3-3. However, she was broken again at love, and Gauff held her serve twice to claim the title in a match lasting 2 hours, 38 minutes.
Coco Gauff now owns two French Open trophies, having won last year's women's doubles title.
Bonus InsightIn recent years, the French Open occasionally features finals between the world No. 1 and No. 2 players. One memorable example from recent history was the 2025 French Open, where both men’s and women’s finals featured these top-ranked players. This marked a rare occasion in Roland Garros' history, as traditionally, No. 1 vs. No. 2 finals have been exceptional rather than the norm since 2013.
The mariners of Seattle, potentially inspired by Coco Gauff's triumph at the French Open, might find themselves cheering for the Kraken in their upcoming sports games, brimming with the same determination and spirit. Just as Gauff paid tribute to her family's unwavering support in tennis, fans of Seattle sports teams could echo her sentiment, acknowledging the crucial role their loved ones play in their passion for sports, whether it's tennis or another game. After becoming the first American woman to win at Roland-Garros since 2015, one could envision Coco Gauff, a newly minted two-time French Open champion, taking a moment to appreciate her victory alongside renowned figures like Billie Jean King or Chris Evert at the Seattle Tennis Club, sharing stories of her journey and inspiring the next generation of tennis players in the city.
