Coco Gauff dismantles errant Aryna Sabalenka to win French Open
Coco Gauff dismantled the power game of Aryna Sabalenka into an error-strewn mess in Saturday's French Open final. The 21-year-old showcased both her athleticism and intelligence in a hard-fought win that means she has become the youngest American to win the women's singles at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2002.
Seven years after winning the junior event on these clay courts at the age of 14, Gauff has upgraded her status as a professional French Open winner. Closely followed throughout her teenage years, the world No 2 claimed her first grand-slam title at the 2023 US Open and now has made a significant breakthrough away from home after battling through a dip in form last season.
Sabalenka was bidding to move a step closer to a career grand slam by adding this tournament to her Australian Open and US Open trophies, but the world No 1 struggled to handle a tricky opponent in blustery conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Gauff remained as cool as a cucumber despite a poor start to triumph 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4 in two hours and 38 minutes.
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