Second seed Coco Gauff claimed the title for the first time since 2015, making her the first American woman to do so, by beating top seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 in Paris.
The Belarusian had two breaks to go ahead 4-1, but Gauff adjusted to the windy conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier and executed a drop shot to aid her in breaking back and closing the gap.
Sabalenka then wasted the set point with a double fault, and Gauff proceeded to push for a tiebreaker. The top-ranked player, who beat three-time champion Iga Swiatek to make it to the final, rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the tiebreak and clinched it 7-5 to secure the first set.
Gauff was pursuing her second grand slam title after her 2023 US Open victory, and the 21-year-old controlled the second set 6-2 by securing 63 percent of her first serves and 67 percent of her second serves.
In the third set, the American gained an early break, yet Sabalenka responded by breaking back to level it at 3 when Gauff hit out. Gauff broke serve once more and took the third set 6-4 when Sabalenka sent the ball wide.
The triumph marks a major milestone in Gauff’s career and further solidifies her place among the top echelon of women’s tennis. After reaching the French Open final back in 2022 and falling short against Iga Swiatek, Gauff returned to Roland Garros this year more experienced, mentally tougher, and physically prepared to battle the world’s best. Despite losing a hard-fought first set, Gauff displayed remarkable composure, tenacity, and tactical awareness to turn the match around.
Sabalenka came into the final as the favorite, riding high after dethroning Swiatek—widely considered the “Queen of Clay”—in the semifinal. Her powerful baseline game and aggressive return stance posed a significant challenge to anyone across the net. In the opening set, Sabalenka’s ferocity was on full display. She earned two early breaks, dominating with flat, deep groundstrokes and exploiting any short balls from Gauff. The 26-year-old Belarusian seemed poised to take command of the match.
However, Gauff’s fighting spirit emerged in full force. Instead of being rattled by the deficit, she embraced the adversity. She began mixing up her play with drop shots, heavy topspin, and sharp angles that drew errors from Sabalenka. The windy conditions, which had troubled both players, were eventually handled more effectively by the American. Gauff’s court awareness and ability to change pace played a crucial role in her comeback.
After squandering her initial lead and a set point due to a double fault, Sabalenka was forced into a tiebreak. Still, she regained composure to take the tiebreak 7-5, but the effort expended to win the first set seemed to take a toll on her. Gauff came out firing in the second set, tightening her service games and reading Sabalenka’s returns better. Her serve consistency—landing 63 percent of first serves and winning 67 percent of second serves—enabled her to dominate rallies and dictate play.
The final set proved to be a test of nerves, stamina, and strategy. Gauff secured an early break and looked in control, but Sabalenka’s relentless aggression led to a crucial break-back. At 3-3, tension filled the air, but Gauff’s maturity came through. She kept her footwork sharp, avoided risky shots, and capitalized on Sabalenka’s increasing unforced errors. A critical break gave her a 5-4 lead, and she served for the championship with poise. When Sabalenka’s final shot sailed wide, Gauff dropped her racquet and raised her arms in triumph.
With this win, Coco Gauff becomes the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015, marking a new era in American tennis. At just 21 years old, she now owns two Grand Slam titles on two different surfaces—hard court and clay—underscoring her versatility and potential to dominate across all major tournaments. Gauff’s performance in Paris sends a strong message that she is not just the future of tennis, but a defining force of the present.
