Gauff rallies past World No.1 Sabalenka for historic Roland Garros title

World No. 2 Coco Gauff overcame top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic three-set final on Saturday to secure her maiden French Open crown. The 21-year-old American rallied from a set down to win 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in a gripping contest marked by tension, momentum shifts, and dazzling shot-making. The victory marked Gauff’s second Grand Slam title, following her breakthrough at the 2023 U.S. Open, where she also came back from a set down to defeat Sabalenka.

The list is complete for @CocoGauff ✅ pic.twitter.com/0NNcAXRs4Q

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) June 7, 2025

This was the first Roland-Garros final between the top two seeds since 2013, when Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and only the second such meeting in the past three decades.

COCO GAUFF HAS DONE IT 🏆#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/WUZFaCwXYk

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2025

After Sabalenka’s backhand sailed wide on Gauff’s second match point, the American dropped to the clay in disbelief, covering her face with both hands before resting her forehead on the court. She embraced Sabalenka at the net before running to celebrate with her box, where she shared a heartfelt hug with filmmaker Spike Lee and her team, a poignant full-circle moment three years after her heartbreaking loss in her first French Open final.

Sabalenka began the final set with authority, maintaining her aggressive style to hold serve. But Gauff soon elevated her game, delivering a spectacular point in the third game that electrified the Parisian crowd. The rally featured a flurry of drop shots before Gauff lofted a lob that Sabalenka chased down with a between-the-legs shot, only for Gauff to finish with a deft winner at the net.

Maintaining steady rhythm from the baseline, Gauff earned a crucial break point and converted it when Sabalenka double-faulted, taking a 2-1 lead. Sabalenka, visibly frustrated, turned to her team and shouted, but managed to regroup and break back to level the set at 3-3.

However, her composure faltered once more as she was broken at love, allowing Gauff to serve out the match confidently. The American held twice without incident to seal the championship in a match that lasted 2 hours and 38 minutes.