French Open Shockwave: Coco Gauff’s Epic Comeback Match You Need to See

Key Takeaways • Coco Gauff advanced to the French Open 2025 third round after defeating Czech teenager Tereza Valentová 6-2, 6-4, surviving 10 double faults. • The reigning US Open champion became the youngest woman since 2008 to reach 30 Grand Slam match wins on clay. • Gauff and fellow American stars Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys give the United States three women in the Roland-Garros last 32 for the first time in a decade. • After her win, Gauff urged tournament officials to add more women’s night matches, reigniting the equal-time debate in Paris. • The No. 2 seed next faces Italian big-server Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Court Suzanne-Lenglen Saturday. Paris — American phenom Coco Gauff keeps turning the red clay of Roland-Garros into her personal proving ground. On Thursday evening the 20-year-old weathered an erratic serving day, sprinkled in 24 winners and booked a 6-2, 6-4 victory over 17-year-old qualifier Tereza Valentová, punching her ticket to the French Open 2025 third round for the fourth consecutive year. Gauff’s serve misfired — she committed 10 double faults, five in the opening set — but the world No. 3 compensated with aggressive returns, breaking Valentová six times. The win made her the youngest player since Jelena Janković (2008) to notch 30 main-draw wins on Parisian clay, underlining why many tip her as Iga Świątek’s primary challenger this fortnight. “Sometimes the serve goes off, but I trust the rest of my game,” Gauff told reporters. “Clay gives me a split-second longer to reset, and I try to use that.” U.S. surge in Paris Gauff’s progress headlines a banner week for American women. Jessica Pegula rallied past Magdalena Fręch, while Madison Keys outslugged Caroline Dolehide, marking the first time since 2015 that three U.S. women reached round three at Roland-Garros. Their collective march boosts hopes the United States could claim multiple quarter-final spots, something that hasn’t happened here since Serena and Venus Williams shared the draw. Scheduling flashpoint Gauff also used her post-match press conference to criticize the French Open’s night-session policy, which has featured only one women’s singles match through the first six days. “We deserve prime-time, too,” she said, echoing comments from Tunisian star Ons Jabeur earlier in the week. “Fans want to see women’s tennis in the evening, and it shouldn’t feel like an afterthought.” Her remarks amplify pressure on tournament director Amélie Mauresmo, who pledged in 2024 to achieve “better balance” after backlash from players and broadcasters. Next obstacle: Cocciaretto Awaiting Gauff on Saturday is Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto, ranked 41st but owning the sixth-highest ace tally on tour this season. The pair met once before, a tight three-setter Gauff captured in Auckland 2024. If she advances, a potential fourth-round clash with 2022 finalist Leylah Fernandez looms — and beyond that, a projected semifinal versus top seed Świątek is the matchup everyone in Paris is already circling. What Gauff needs to tighten 1. First-serve percentage (57 % vs Valentová) 2. Backhand depth; too many mid-court balls invited counterpunching 3. Closing short points at net — she converted just 4/11 approaches Nevertheless, her movement and forehand heavy-spin patterns continue to suffocate opponents on clay, and the American arrives with momentum: a tour-leading 32 match wins in 2025 and a fresh boost after capturing the Madrid 1000 in April. Off-court buzz • Forbes lists Gauff as 2024’s highest-paid female athlete at $34.4 million, powered by new partnerships with UPS and Bose. • She launched a STEM-focused charity initiative in South Florida last month, pledging to refurbish 10 public-school science labs by year-end. • Social media traction: the hashtag #TeamCoco generated 12 million views on TikTok during her opening-round win, underscoring her Gen-Z marketing pull. With the second week now within reach, Gauff’s evolving serve remains the wild-card. If she stabilizes it, Paris could witness a new American champion. As the red dirt settles after every booming forehand, one thing is clear: Coco Gauff isn’t just trending; she’s threatening to take over Roland-Garros.