Sabalenka Wins First Set in French Open Final Against Gauff

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka took a thrilling first set in the French Open women's final against No. 2 Coco Gauff on Saturday. The match has been marked by tension and momentum swings, exacerbated by strong winds on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Sabalenka's dominant start gave way to a series of errors and double-faults, allowing Gauff to mount a comeback. However, Sabalenka regained her footing and closed out the set 7-6 (5) in a tiebreaker.

Key Takeaways:

Sabalenka led 4-1 in the first set before Gauff's comeback, showcasing the volatile nature of the match.
Gauff broke back to level the score and then again, forcing a tiebreaker that Sabalenka ultimately won.
Sabalenka has won three majors, but this is her first French Open final appearance.
Gauff has been seeking her first major title and has a history of struggling at the French Open, including a 2022 final loss at 18 years old.
Sabalenka and Gauff have split their 10 previous matchups evenly, with Sabalenka winning their most recent encounter on a clay court last month.

Statistics:

The first set lasted approximately 80 minutes.
Sabalenka trailed 3-0 in the tiebreaker before recovering to win.
Gauff has one major title from the 2023 U.S. Open, which she won against Sabalenka.
The 2025 French Open is Sabalenka's first time competing in the final.

Sources:

"AP news wire"
"AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis"