Coco Gauff defeats top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in 3 sets to win her first French Open title
Coco Gauff of the U.S. plays a shot against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during their final match of the French Tennis Open at the Roland-Garros stadium in Paris, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
PARIS -- Coco Gauff has won the French Open for the first time by defeating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday.
The second-ranked Gauff came out on top of a contest that was full of tension and momentum swings to claim her second major trophy after the 2023 U.S Open, where she also came from a set down to beat Sabalenka in the final.
It was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 final in Paris since 2013, when Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years.
The Associated Press
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The Province
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This Day in History, 1842-1926: Pioneer B.C. seafarer loved tobacco, oolichans and hard work
William Ettershank went to sea at 14, arrived in B.C. when he was 20 and piloted ships until he was 76 Composite photo of Commissioners and Pilots of Vancouver Pilotage District 1879 - 1916. William Ettershank is in the second row from the top, third from the right. George T. Wadds Vancouver Archives AM54-S4-: LP 348 When William Ettershank died on May 30, 1926, the Vancouver Daily Province proclaimed 'they bred men in the old days!' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Indeed they did. The 83-year-old became a legend as one of B.C.'s pioneer ship captains and pilots. 'Captain Billy was a man's man,' said The Province. 'For 45 years, he was active in piloting ships, ever increasing in size and numbers, through the channels leading from the open ocean to the 'inside' waters of the British Columbia coast. 'He guided the first tea ships to the terminal of the new Canadian Pacific Railway at Port Moody in 1885. Before that he piloted the first ships with steel rail cargo to complete the western section of the (C.P.R.) line. 'Even before that, he steered the big windjammers up to the lumber mills on Burrard Inlet. 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Toronto Star
an hour ago
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Coco Gauff handles bad memories and top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka to earn first French Open title
PARIS (AP) — Drawing on the painful memory of her defeat three years ago in the French Open final gave Coco Gauff just the motivation she needed to win the clay-court major for the first time. The 21-year-old American defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday for her second Grand Slam title, two years after winning the U.S. Open. 'I think (the U.S. Open victory) was more emotional but this one was harder,' said Gauff, who managed to handle the elements and the momentum swings better than Sabalenka. 'I knew it was going to be about will power and mental (strength).' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The victory put to rest the bad memories of her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek when, as an 18-year-old, Gauff felt overwhelmed even before stepping onto Court Philippe-Chatrier. 'It was a tough time, I was doubting myself,' Gauff recalled. 'I was crying before the match, and so nervous, literally couldn't breathe and stuff.' Gauff said that the lopsided loss rocked her confidence to such an extent that she was left 'in a dark place' and feared she was not cut out for winning major titles. 'I thought if I can't handle this how am I going to handle it again?' she said. She handled it just fine on Saturday. The second-ranked Gauff made fewer mistakes and kept her emotions in check to get the better of Sabalenka again at major final, having come from a set down to beat the Belarusian in the 2023 U.S. Open final. Gauff raised the winners' trophy aloft, then kissed it several times. She held her hand over her heart when the U.S. national anthem played. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'This one is heavy,' Gauff said. 'It feels great to lift it.' She is the first American woman to win at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. It was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 final in Paris since 2013, when Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years. After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the 21-year-old American fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands as she started to sob, then got up and held her hand over her mouth. She continued to sob as she patted the clay with her left hand. Gauff greeted Sabalenka at the net with a warm hug and thanking the umpire, Gauff screamed out with joy and relief, then got to her knees and crouched forward, continuing to cry as she savored the win. She hugged later film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage in her box before thanking the fans. 'You guys were cheering for me so hard,' she said. 'I don't know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW One thing Gauff could not manage — yet — was a victory speech in French. 'I completely tanked on that,' she said, adding that she will try in the future. 'I don't think I could do a whole speech but maybe a good something to say to the French crowd.' Sabalenka praised Gauff for being a 'fighter' and said she deserved the win, but added that the windy conditions made for an error-strewn contest. 'This will hurt so much,' Sabalenka said. 'Coco, congrats, in the tough conditions you were a better player than me.' Both players were sloppy in the first set, conceding 21 break-point chances and making 48 unforced errors between them, with Sabalenka making 32 yet still winning the set. She made 70 altogether in the match, compared to 30 overall for Gauff. Sabalenka was often frustrated, remonstrating and shouting at herself and frequently turning around to look at her team with an exasperated look on her face. She put her head on her hands a couple of times, and at one point raised her shoulders as if to say 'What's going on?' Gauff said she paid no attention, knowing full well that Sabalenka could find her best game at any moment. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The first set looked to be heading Gauff's way when she led 3-0 in the tiebreaker, but Sabalenka steadied herself and clinched it with a forehand volley at the net. Gauff leveled the match with a smash at the net. But Sabalenka stuck to her high-risk approach in the deciding set. One superb rally in the third game drew loud cheers. After an intense exchange of drop shots, Gauff hit a lob that Sabalenka chased down before attempting a shot between her legs — only for Gauff to intercept it at the net. It was a rare highlight on a day when swirling wind troubled both players with the roof open. 'It was tough to plant your feet, the ball was moving so much,' Gauff said. 'It was not a day for great tennis, honestly.' ___ AP tennis: Read more on the French Open at
