U.S. Coco Gauff Defeats No. 1 Sabalenka, Wins 1st French Open Title

3 hours ago

3811 posts

U.S. Coco Gauff Defeats No. 1 Sabalenka, Wins 1st French Open Title/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Coco Gauff captured her first French Open singles title with a gritty three-set win over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The emotional victory marks Gauff’s second major title, following her 2023 U.S. Open win. The match, played in windy conditions, ended in dramatic fashion after nearly three hours of high-level tennis.

Coco Gauff’s Grand Slam Glory: Quick Looks

Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 to win her first French Open title.
This is Gauff’s second major championship, after winning the U.S. Open in 2023.
The match was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 final at Roland-Garros since 2013.
The 21-year-old American overcame early setbacks, rallying from a set down for victory.
Gauff became emotional after the win, sobbing and kissing the trophy.
She thanked fans and reflected on her growth since losing the 2022 French Open final.
Sabalenka praised Gauff in her speech, calling her a “fighter” and acknowledging the challenging conditions.
The match lasted 2 hours and 38 minutes, full of drama and momentum swings.
Gauff now has two French Open trophies, having won the doubles title in 2024.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus cries during trophy presentation after losing the final match of the French Tennis Open at the Roland-Garros against United States’ Coco Gauff in Paris, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Deep Look: Coco Gauff Claims First French Open Singles Title, Defeats Aryna Sabalenka in Dramatic Finale

PARIS — American tennis star Coco Gauff etched her name into the record books Saturday, winning her first French Open singles championship with a gritty, emotional three-set victory over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4.

The 21-year-old Florida native captured her second career Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros, following her 2023 U.S. Open victory, where she also defeated Sabalenka in the final.

Gauff’s win came in a historic No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown—the first of its kind in Paris since Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova in 2013. Despite losing the first-set tiebreak, Gauff battled back with poise, power, and precision to outlast her rival in a match that spanned nearly two hours and 40 minutes.

A Moment of Redemption

Three years ago, Gauff fell short in her first Grand Slam final at Roland-Garros, losing in straight sets to Iga Swiatek. On Saturday, the outcome was different—and emotional.

“The crowd really helped me today,” Gauff told fans after the match. “I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd, but I appreciate you guys.”

After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on match point, Gauff dropped to the clay, tears streaming down her face. She eventually rose, covering her mouth in disbelief before embracing Sabalenka at the net. She then hugged legendary director Spike Lee, who was in the stands cheering her on.

Sabalenka’s Response

A teary Aryna Sabalenka, who had hoped to claim her first French Open crown, congratulated Gauff during the post-match ceremony:

“This will hurt so much,” Sabalenka said. “Coco, congrats. In the tough conditions, you were the better player than me. Well done on your second Grand Slam—it’s well deserved.”

Sabalenka blamed the windy, erratic conditions for her unusually high number of errors, including crucial double faults that helped swing momentum in Gauff’s favor.

Turning Points in the Match

Gauff dropped the opening set in a tight tiebreak but dominated the second set with aggressive baseline play.
In the final set, Gauff secured a key break of serve at 2-1, prompting frustration from Sabalenka, who screamed toward her coaching box.
Sabalenka briefly broke back to even the score at 3-3, but Gauff regained control with another break at love.
She closed the match with two strong service games, securing the win and sending the Philippe Chatrier crowd into a frenzy.

Tactical Brilliance

Gauff’s consistent rallying, foot speed, and mental toughness were on full display. Her ability to stay composed under pressure, especially after losing the first set, underscored her continued growth as one of the sport’s brightest stars.

“I think 2022 put me in a dark place,” Gauff admitted during the trophy presentation. “But that helped shape me into the person and player I am today.”

A Rising Legend

Gauff is now a two-time Grand Slam champion, with titles on both hard and clay courts—underscoring her adaptability and all-surface talent. Saturday’s win also adds to her doubles success: she won the 2024 French Open doubles title just one year ago.

The American joins a legacy of U.S. tennis greats who have lifted the Roland-Garros trophy, following in the footsteps of Serena Williams, Chris Evert, and Jennifer Capriati.