PARIS — 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 major for the first time. The 21-year-old American defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday for her second Grand Slam title, two years after winning the U.S. Open.

A little bit of self-persuasion went a very long way for Coco Gauff, whose victory at the French Open gave the 21-year-old American a trophy she has long coveted, and a second major title.

Coco Gauff has captured her first French Open title after dispatching world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 in a competitive women's final at Roland Garros. Gauff, who now has two career majors after winning the US Open in 2023,