Paris-Coco Goorf has won the France Open for the first time by defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday.
The second drop of classification came out at the top of a contest full of tension and impulse balances to claim its second important trophy after the Open of US 2023, where it also came from a set to beat Sabalenka in the final.
It was the first final No. 1 vs. No. 2 in Paris since 2013, when Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and only the second in the last 30 years.
The party has been full of tension and impulse so far, amplified by the suction conditions.
Sabalenkka came out strongly in the Philippe-Chaatrier court, finding her step early and pushing the gaza on the rear foot with deep blows of earth and an assertive net game.
Sabalenka quickly built a 4-1 advantage, but a series of double errors and fouls allowed Gound to return to the game. Sabalenka managed to break again for an advantage of 5-4, but his game continued to fluctuate between uninforced errors and flashes of brilliance. Gonff remained patient and compound, breaking to level the score once more.
They changed breaks again and the set, which lasted about 80 minutes, was decided by a tiebreaker. Sabalenka continued 3-0 but recovered from the bad start to close the set on the network.
Despite the possibility of rain later on Saturday afternoon, the organizers chose to keep the retractable roof open.
Both women aim to win the title for the first time.
Gound lost the final of the France Open 2022 at age 18, but the American beat Sabalenka in the US 2023 Open final, Gound’s only specialty until now.
Sabalenka, 27, who is bellrusing, has won three elders, but appears in her first final of the France Open.
It is the first final No. 1 vs. No. 2 in Paris since 2013, when Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and only the second in the last 30 years.
Sabalenka and Gound have divided their 10 previous clashes uniformly, but Sabalenka won their most recent meeting, also on a clay court in Madrid Open a month ago.
