3 days ago
Feisty Coco Gauff stuns Aryna Sabalenka to win maiden French Open crown
Coco Gauff pulled off a stunning comeback on Saturday to capture her maiden French Open title. The 21-year-old defeated top seed and World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in a thrilling women's singles final on Court in 2022, an 18-year-old Gauff fell short in the French Open final against then-World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. This time, however, the American star made no mistake—seizing her moment and toppling another top-ranked opponent to claim Grand Slam Open 2025 women's singles final HighlightsThe victory marked Gauff's second Grand Slam title, following her triumph at the 2023 US Open. Fittingly, it was a rematch of that final at Flushing Meadows, but once again, Sabalenka fell short as Gauff came out on top, denying the World No.1 a shot at also avenged her straight-sets loss to Sabalenka in the Madrid Open final earlier this year. With this win, she now leads their head-to-head 6–5 on the WTA Tour. It was third time lucky for the American, who had fallen short in the finals of both Rome and Madrid before finally clinching a title on clay this prevails in roller-coaster set
Aryna Sabalenka won the first-set tie-break. Courtesy: Reuters
Sabalenka put Gauff under tremendous pressure in the first set, going up a double break and taking a commanding 4–1 lead. But Gauff fought back, earning her first break point in the fifth game. Down 0-40, she saved three game points and converted her only break followed it up with a flawless service game, holding to love and narrowing the gap to 3-4. She then earned a second break in the next game, leveling the score as Sabalenka saved four break points before finally surrendering on the fifth.
Sabalenka responded with a third break to go up 5-4. Serving for the set, she reached set point at 40-30 but double-faulted. Gauff showed great tenacity, converting her fifth break point of the set to level things to back down, Sabalenka secured a fourth break. Yet again, though, she couldn't serve out the set, with Gauff breaking back and forcing a tie-break in what had become a roller-coaster of a the tie-break, Gauff surged to a 3-0 lead, putting Sabalenka under pressure. But the top seed rallied, drawing level at 5-5. From there, Sabalenka took control and closed out the set after an intense hour and 20 makes stunning comeback
Coco Gauff rallied back from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka. Courtesy: Reuters
After the disappointment of losing the opening set in a tie-break, Gauff responded strongly in the second. She secured an early break to go up 2–0 and continued to apply pressure, earning a double break to extend her lead to 4-1, sparking hopes of a however, refused to give in and managed to claw one break back. But at 4-2, Gauff earned her third break of the set to go up 5–2, after which she confidently closed it GAUFF HAS DONE IT #RolandGarros Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2025In the decider, Gauff picked up right where she left off. She earned an early break to take a 2-1 lead and consolidated it to 3-1. In the following game, Sabalenka faced another break point but held serve to close the gap to then broke back to level the score at 3-3. However, Gauff once again showed her resilience, breaking Sabalenka's serve to retake the lead and making it increasingly difficult for her Belarusian opponent to mount a at 5–4, 40–30 in the final set, Gauff sealed the championship after a backhand from Sabalenka sailed wide. The moment she realized the ball was out, Gauff dropped to the ground in sheer joy as the crowd erupted in applause, celebrating her hard-fought Reel
