PARIS– Coco Gauff won her first Grand Slam doubles title as she teamed with Katerina Siniakova for the French Open trophy on Sunday.
Gauff, a 20-year-old American who won last year’s US Open singles title, and Siniakova, who is from the Czech Republic, defeated Italians Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani 7-6 (5), 6-3 on the Philippe Chatrier court.
It was Gauff’s third women’s doubles final after losing championship matches at Roland Garros in 2022 and the US Open in 2021.
Gauff and Siniakova kissed the Coupe Simone Mathieu – the winners’ trophy.
“Third time’s a charm. Thank you, Katerina, for playing with me. We decided two days before the tournament to play together,” Gauff said. “Thank you to the fans. I know 11:30 on a Sunday morning is early for most people. It’s early for me.”
Paolini was also runner-up in the singles final at Roland Garros for four-time champion Iga Swiatek on Saturday. Swiatek beat Gauff in the singles semi-final.
“The last two weeks have been very good, very exciting,” Paolini said. “I have a lot of memories. I can’t wait to go back.”
Siniakova has a career Slam in women’s doubles alongside partner Barbora Krejcikova and has won eight majors – including the French Open in 2018 and 2021.
Errani also has a Slam doubles career alongside her former partner Roberta Vinci. The Italian pair won the French Open title in 2012 – the year Errani lost the singles final.
“It’s very special to be on this court again. I don’t know how many more years I will have to play. But it’s always special to play these types of games,” said Errani, 37 years old. “It will be special to play the Olympics here in this place. So, see you in a month.
Paolini was competing in her first final in women’s doubles.
Errani’s serve was broken twice in the first set, and Paolini was on the baseline to compensate in the 11th game. The tactic worked as Errani held serve.
Gauff and Siniakova won the first set when Errani’s volley into the net went long and took a 4-1 lead in the second set, with Paolini trailing 0-30 on her serve.
The Italians recovered to 4-3 with a service game to follow, but Errani’s serve was broken again and the momentum was lost. ___
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