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Coco Gauff scripted history on June 7, staging an impressive comeback to secure her first-ever French Open women's singles title. The 21-year-old tennis star triumphed over the top-seeded player and World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling women's singles final that unfolded on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Coco got the better of Sabalenka with a scoreline of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4.
Maiden French Open title for Coco Gauff
This victory marks a significant milestone for Gauff, especially considering her previous experience at the same tournament. Back in 2022, when she was just 18 years old, Gauff reached the French Open final but ultimately fell short against the then-World No. 1, Iga Swiatek. However, this time around, the American talent was determined to seize her opportunity.
The title triumph at Roland Garros marks Coco Gauff's second Grand Slam title, adding to her previous success at the 2023 US Open. Interestingly, this final was a rematch of their encounter at Flushing Meadows, with Gauff once again emerging victorious. This victory denied Aryna Sabalenka, the World No. 1, her shot at avenging her defeat in the US Open final.
Furthermore, Gauff's win in Paris also served as a sweet revenge for her straight-sets loss to Sabalenka earlier in the year in the final of the Madrid Open. Following this result, Gauff now holds a 6-5 lead in their head-to-head record on the WTA Tour, showcasing her competitive edge over the top-ranked player.
This victory on the clay courts of Roland Garros was particularly significant for the American, as it was her first title on this surface this season. Gauff had previously reached the finals of both the Rome Open and the Madrid Open in the lead-up to the French Open but had fallen short on both occasions, making her win in Paris a case of "third time lucky" in clinching a title on clay this year.
In a tense opening to the French Open final, Aryna Sabalenka exerted significant pressure on Coco Gauff in the first set. The top seed managed to secure an early advantage, establishing a commanding 4–1 lead after achieving a double break of serve. However, Gauff demonstrated her fighting spirit by responding in the fifth game, where she earned her first break point. Despite facing a 0-40 deficit, she showed resilience to save three game points and capitalize on her only break opportunity.
Building on this momentum, Gauff followed up with a confident service game, holding to love and reducing Sabalenka's lead to 4-3. She then managed to secure a second break in the subsequent game, leveling the score as Sabalenka struggled, saving four break points before finally succumbing on the fifth.
Undeterred, Sabalenka retaliated immediately with a third break, pushing her lead back to 5-4. While serving for the set, she reached set point at 40-30 but a costly double fault allowed Gauff back into the game. Gauff displayed great tenacity, eventually converting her fifth break point of the set to once again level the score.
The set continued its dramatic twists as Sabalenka refused to concede, breaking Gauff's serve for a fourth time. Yet again, however, she was unable to close out the set, with Gauff breaking back immediately. This back-and-forth battle ultimately led to a tie-break, capping off a truly rollercoaster of a set.
In the decisive tie-break, Gauff initially seized the momentum, surging to a 3-0 lead and putting pressure on the top seed. However, Sabalenka showcased her mental fortitude, rallying to level the score at 5-5. From that point, Sabalenka managed to regain control, eventually closing out the set after an intense and prolonged battle that lasted for an hour and twenty minutes.
Despite the setback of losing the opening set in a tie-break, Coco Gauff mounted a strong response in the second set. She quickly established an advantage by securing an early break to lead 2–0. Gauff continued to apply pressure on her opponent, earning a double break which extended her lead to 4-1, igniting hopes of a comeback after the initial disappointment.
However, Aryna Sabalenka was not ready to concede, and she managed to claw back one break of serve. Nevertheless, Gauff remained focused and, at 4-2, earned her third break of the set, pushing her lead to 5–2. From this position, she confidently served out the set, leveling the match and setting the stage for a decisive final set.
In the third and final set, Gauff carried forward the momentum she had gained. She secured an early break to take a 2-1 lead and then consolidated this advantage by holding her serve to move to 3-1. In the subsequent game, Sabalenka faced another break point but managed to hold her serve, reducing Gauff's lead to 3-2.
The tension heightened as Sabalenka then broke back, leveling the score at 3-3. However, Gauff once again demonstrated her resilience and mental fortitude. She immediately broke Sabalenka's serve in the following game, retaking the lead and making it increasingly challenging for her Belarusian opponent to mount a comeback.
Serving for the championship at 5–4, 40–30 in the final set, Coco Gauff sealed her maiden French Open title when a backhand shot from Aryna Sabalenka sailed wide of the court. The instant she realised the ball was out, Gauff dropped to the ground in sheer elation, as the crowd erupted in thunderous applause, celebrating her hard-fought and well-deserved triumph.
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