Audio By Carbonatix
Coco Gauff won the first French Open singles title of her career by fighting back to beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a rollercoaster final.
American second seed Gauff claimed a 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-4 victory after a tense battle between the WTA Tour's two leading players in testing conditions.
It is the second Grand Slam singles triumph of Gauff's career, adding to the US Open title she won in 2023, also by beating Belarus' Sabalenka.
"I honestly didn't think I could do it," Gauff, 21, said during the trophy presentation.
Gauff recovered from a difficult start where she trailed by a double break, eventually finding her rhythm and benefiting from a huge number of mistakes from 27-year-old Sabalenka.
"This hurts so much. Congratulations to Coco - she was a better player than me," said Sabalenka, who was also bidding for her first Roland Garros title.
A stiff breeze played havoc with serve in the opening two sets, leading to the pair exchanging 12 breaks in an entertaining if not high-quality affair.
Gauff, who lost in the 2022 final, settled quicker in the deciding third set to move a break up and kept her nerve to serve out victory.
She had to survive another break point before winning her second championship point, falling to the clay on her back when Sabalenka pushed a forehand wide.
With her parents Candi and Corey dancing euphorically in the stands, Gauff shared an affectionate hug with Sabalenka before running off court to celebrate with her family.
Latest Stories
-
Family Health University graduates 318 healthcare professionals
3 minutes -
Legendary Yaw Sarpong’s backing vocalist Maame Tiwaa passes on
46 minutes -
Two suspects arrested in coordinated robbery attacks at Nkasiem
50 minutes -
Tiwaa of Yaw Sarpong and Asomafo dies
51 minutes -
Amedzofe Canopy Walkway temporarily closed after structural incident
55 minutes -
Dr Ibn Chambas calls for Africans to ‘defend their dignity’
1 hour -
Let’s treat persons with disabilities right – GHS staff  urged
2 hours -
Soldiers in Benin say they have seized power from President Talon
2 hours -
Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami to MLS Cup glory
2 hours -
Soldiers on Benin’s national television claim to have seized power
3 hours -
Premier Tennis Club organizes Tema Farmers’ Day Tournament
3 hours -
Liberia, South Africa ex-First Ladies attend Lordina Foundation’s 5th health screening for retired ministers
3 hours -
KGL Foundation partners Premier Tennis club to celebrate Farmers’ Day
3 hours -
Adrobaa crowned winners as Milo U13 Championship makes grand return
4 hours -
NAIMOS seizes excavators and shuts down illegal Riverbank mining in Eastern Region
5 hours
