Coco Gauff handles bad memories and top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka to earn first French Open title Updated 32 mins ago Drawing on the painful memory of her defeat three years ago in the French Open final gave Coco Gauff just the motivation she needed to win the clay-court tournament for the first time. The 21-year-old American defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 for her second Grand Slam title, two years after winning the U.S. Open. Gauff said she knew “it was going to be about will power and mental (strength).” The victory put to rest bad memories of her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek when, as an 18-year-old, Gauff felt overwhelmed even before stepping onto Court Philippe-Chatrier.

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