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After finishing as the runner-up in 2022, second seed Coco Gauff went one step further this time, capturing the Roland Garros title by battling past world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 on a windy Saturday in Paris.
In just 19 minutes, Sabalenka’s aggressive and powerful play propelled her to a commanding 4-1 lead. But Gauff responded with resilience, reeling off three straight games to level the score at 4-4. Just when it seemed Gauff had completely shifted the momentum, Sabalenka struck back with another break.
Serving for the set, Sabalenka found herself in a grueling 12-minute game. Despite holding two set points, the top seed couldn’t close it out. Gauff dug deep and converted her fifth break point, leveling the set at 5-5 after 56 minutes of intense battle. Sabalenka broke serve once more, only to falter again while serving for the set.
In the tiebreak, Gauff came out strong, racing to a 3-0 lead. Sabalenka slowly clawed her way back, tying it at 5-5. She then earned a crucial set point with a spectacular rally and sealed the first set with a confident finish at the net.
In the second set, Gauff stormed to a 4-1 lead, securing a break at love in the fifth game. She appeared poised to extend her lead to 5-1, but Sabalenka battled hard to earn a break back in a marathon game. However, Gauff immediately responded by winning two consecutive breaks without losing a single point.
Sliding across the clay in her signature New Balance Coco CG2 shoes, Gauff was on the verge of a 4-1 lead in the deciding set. But Sabalenka saved two break points and clawed her way back to 3-3. Frustrated by the swirling “hurricane” wind, Sabalenka double-faulted to hand Gauff triple break point, and the American needed just one, firing a clean winner to secure a love break.
Not long after, the three-time Grand Slam champion was gone with the wind. Gauff found her rhythm, kept her composure despite the ongoing tension, and converted her second championship point to seal the victory.
Sabalenka racked up 67 unforced errors, more than double Gauff’s 30, and although she struck seven more winners, it wasn’t enough to overcome her inconsistency.
At just 21 years old, Coco Gauff is now a two-time Grand Slam champion, adding the 2025 Roland Garros title to her 2023 US Open triumph.
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