(Video) Coco Gauff Wins Incredible Point After Stunning Tweener From Aryna Sabalenka in French Open Final

Coco Gauff has now become the first American since Serena Williams to clinch the Roland Garros after beating Aryna Sabalenka.

(Video) Coco Gauff Wins Incredible Point After Stunning Tweener From Aryna Sabalenka in French Open Final

Aryna Sabalenka hits a winner after Coco Gauff's lob shot (Image via X/TNT Sports, ESPN Tenis, Front Office Sports)

Coco Gauff came from a set down to overcome Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling French Open final to become a champion here for the first time. On Saturday (June 7), Gauff needed two hours and 19 minutes to claim a 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 win in a match, which was between a World No.1 and World No.2 at Roland Garros for the first time in over a decade.

Both the rivals kept each other on their toes throughout the enthralling final. After narrowly losing the first set, Gauff raced to 2-0 but Sabalenka tried to force a comeback. In the end, Gauff prevailed, extending the match to the decider.

The third set too was a tight affair. When both the players had won a game each, Sabalenka served and when it was returned, both the players engaged in a rally. Sabalenka smashed a backhand down the line, and Gauff slid in time to return it, forcing the Belarusian to sprint toward the net.

Sabalenka was just in time to hit a forehand cross-court, with Gauff hitting an amazing lob only for Sabalenka to run back toward the baseline to hit a sensational tweener. By then, Gauff was standing close to the net, and with a volley, she clinched the third game.

Watch the video here:

Sabalenka now has a 3-3 win-loss record in the final. Gauff was playing her third singles final. In her career’s first Major championship match, she lost to five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the 2022 French Open but the following season, beat Sabalenka to lift the US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka makes her feelings known on her French Open defeat to Coco Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka was bidding to win her fourth title of the season after her victories in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid. Coco Gauff, on the other hand, lifted her first title since winning the 2024 WTA Finals. Following the match, Sabalenka praised Gauff and said the match felt like a joke.

Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka
Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/The Athletic, The Tennis Letter)

Today was just…yeah…sometimes it felt like she was hitting the ball from the frame and somehow it magically lands in the court. You’re kind of on the back foot. It felt like a joke honestly. Like someone from above is standing there laughing like ‘Let’s see if you can handle this.’

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

Sabalenka played her seventh final of the season. En route to her maiden triumph in the clay-court Major, Gauff had also reached the Madrid Open and Italian Open finals, losing to Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini, respectively.

I couldn’t today. I really hope next time when we play if it’s gonna be the same conditions, I’m gonna play a bit smarter. Not over rush things. Try to stay there and try to fight.

Aryna Sabalenka added

The 21-year-old has also become the first American to win this title since 23-time Major singles champion Serena Williams in 2015. She has now improved her head-to-record over the three-time Grand Slam singles champion to 6-5 and 2-1 on clay, following her victory in the 2021 Italian Open third round and defeat in this year’s Madrid Open final.

Gauff is also the youngest American to lift the clay-court Major since Williams won her first French Open title in 2002. After bagging 2000 points, Gauff will rise to No.2 in the Race to the WTA Finals Riyadh.

Had Sabalenka won the match, she could have become the only active woman to take home a singles Major at three of the four Grand Slam events. Gauff has now concluded the tournament by clinching 18 wins in main draw matches on the clay swing, and behind her is Sabalenka with 17 wins.

Also read: Andy Roddick Says Aryna Sabalenka Doesn’t Get the Credit She Deserves for the Improvements in Her Game