Coco Gauff of the U.S. celebrates after winning against Taylor Townsend of the U.S. during their first round women’s singles tennis match on the French Open tennis tournament in Paris, Tuesday, May 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Coco Gauff began the defense of her French Open title by dispatching fellow American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-0 at Roland Garros on Tuesday.
Townsend, who had beaten Gauff of their only previous meeting in 2019, broke within the opening game.
READ: French Open: Coco Gauff comfortable as she prepares to defend title
The 30-year-old held on her first two service games, but from 3-1 up within the opener, won only another game. That was at 3-5 down in the primary, when Townsend saved a set point on Gauff’s serve but dropped serve immediately to lose the set and that ended her resistance.
Gauff galloped through the second set in 24 minutes and can face Egyptian Mayar Sherif in the subsequent round.
Gauff applied ice during breaks within the cauldron of Philippe Chatrier but said that was only because her coach told her to.
“I’m from Florida so that is nothing,” the fourth seed said on court. “Truthfully I felt more bad for the fans. Dang you’re watching in the warmth and I hoped nobody passed out. So I’m glad I finished quickly.”