American tennis star Coco Gauff has stormed into the third round of the 2025 French Open, defeating the 2024 Roland Garros junior champion in a thrilling straight-sets victory. The match, played on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, ended with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 scoreline in favor of Gauff, who showed her experience and determination against one of the sport’s rising talents.
The 20-year-old Gauff, seeded No. 3 in the tournament, faced a tricky test in the form of her 17-year-old opponent, who had captured the junior title last year and was making her main draw debut at Roland Garros. With the crowd buzzing over the matchup of youth and rising stardom, both players delivered high-intensity tennis from the very start.
In the opening set, Gauff came out strong, using her heavy topspin and powerful backhand to push the youngster around the court. The junior champion, despite her inexperience, showed flashes of brilliance with clean winners and a fearless approach. However, Gauff’s consistency and ability to absorb pressure proved too much. She broke serve in the sixth game and held on to take the set 6-3.
The second set was more tightly contested, with the young challenger raising her level and even holding break points early on. But Gauff, who reached the French Open final in 2022, relied on her experience in key moments, saving break points with strong serving and excellent court coverage. At 4-4, Gauff stepped up once again, breaking serve with a stunning backhand pass and then calmly serving out the match.
Speaking after the win, Gauff praised her opponent’s performance and the intensity of the contest. “She’s an incredible player. You don’t win a junior Grand Slam without serious talent,” Gauff said. “I had to bring my best today. These young players are hungry and fearless, and I respect that.”
This victory marks another milestone in Gauff’s continued rise on the WTA tour. Already a Grand Slam champion after winning the 2023 US Open, she is now looking to capture her first French Open title. Her clay-court form has been solid in the lead-up to Roland Garros, and with her early-round performances, she’s quickly becoming one of the tournament favorites.
As for the young junior champion, the match served as a valuable learning experience. Despite the loss, she earned the respect of fans and analysts with her fighting spirit and shot-making ability. Many believe it won’t be long before she’s making deeper runs in the main draw of Grand Slams.
Gauff now advances to the third round, where she will face a tough opponent in either a fellow top-10 seed or a dangerous unseeded floater. With her eyes set on a deep run in Paris, the American seems focused, prepared, and determined to go all the way.
As the tournament heats up, fans can expect more drama, more thrilling moments, and possibly a French Open breakthrough for Coco Gauff.
