Coco Gauff claims first French Open title after fightback floors Aryna Sabalenka
Coco Gauff has won the French Open for the first time in her career, after defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in an epic final at Roland Garros.
It was Sabalenka who made a flying start on Court Philippe-Chatrier, breaking Gauff twice to take a 4-1. The American hit back in style, reeling off 12 points in succession as Sabalenka lost her early rhythm. At four-all, the world No 1 broke again to serve for the set, but Gauff hit back in a marathon 11th game.
The pattern repeated over the next two games, Sabalenka outlasting Gauff in tough rallies to go 6-5 up, only for more unforced errors on serve to set up a tie-break. The No 2 seed led 3-0 and 4-1 but Sabalenka rallied to win 7-5 and claim victory in a 77-minute opening set.
Gauff immediately broke again at the start of the second set, and this time backed it up with a hold to love. At 3-1 up, Gauff profited from another poor service game from Sabalenka, only to hand one break back in an error-strewn sixth game. Gauff then broke again to lead 5-2, and closed out to level the match.
Hannah Klugman's bid to become Britain's first French Open juniors champion in 49 years ended in a straight-sets defeat to Austrian Lilli Tagger in the final. The 16-year-old was beaten 6-2, 6-0 by the17-year-old Tagger in front of a packed Court Simonne-Mathieu. Klugman, ranked 13th in the world junior rankings, was hoping to emulate Michelle Tyler, the last British player to win the girls' title in 1976.
Elsewhere, Alfie Hewett was beaten 6-4, 7-6 (8-6) by Japan's Tokito Oda in the men's wheelchair final. Hewett teams up with Gordon Reid later in the men's wheelchair doubles final, against Oda and France's Stephane Houdet.
As the clock ticked past two hours, Sabalenka double-faulted to give Gauff the advantage, 2-1 up on serve. The 21-year-old backed it up with a hold as Sabalenka's unforced error count reached 60, although the Belarusian saved break points to keep her hopes alive at 3-2 down in the decider.
The lights came on under the roof on Chatrier and Sabalenka broke back to level the set, but Gauff's superior net skills helped her break straight back to love. An exchange of holds left Gauff with the chance to serve out for the title, and victory was sealed on her second match point when Sabalenka fired an attempted winner just wide.
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