Katerina Siniakova and Coco Gauff win French Open doubles title
Last-minute pairing, lasting legacy: Katerina Siniakova and Coco Gauff stormed to the Roland Garros doubles title on Sunday with a 7-6(5), 6-3 win over Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini. The victory marks the eighth Grand Slam doubles title for Siniakova and the first for Gauff.
The American-Czech duo, seeded No. 5 in the draw, teamed up for the French Open due to injuries sidelining their regular partners. Siniakova, who has had a stellar doubles career, faced setbacks as her usual partners, Storm Hunter and Taylor Townsend, were both injured. This led to a last-minute arrangement facilitated by Townsend, connecting Siniakova with Gauff, whose intended partner, Jessica Pegula, was also injured.
Siniakova’s experience and Gauff’s adaptability turned this unexpected partnership into a winning combination. The duo lost only one set throughout the tournament, showcasing their resilience and synergy. In the 1 hour and 47-minute final, they overcame a challenging first set, displaying determination and skill. Siniakova’s exceptional play in long rallies and Gauff’s unyielding serve contributed to their triumph.
Reflecting on their performance, Gauff noted, "Every match I think we played really well, even when we weren't playing so well, we found a way to get out of it." Siniakova’s expertise shone through, guiding the pair to a memorable victory, highlighting her continued dominance in the doubles arena.