Coco Gauff defeated Taylor Townsend, 6-4, 6-0, in the first round of the French Open.
In a battle of the Americans, it was Gauff who prevailed, fighting back from an early break in the first set to book her place in the second round.
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After the match, Gauff was asked for her thoughts on the extreme conditions at Roland Garros.
Coco Gauff believes the heat actually helped her beat Taylor Townsend at the French Open
During her post-match interview, Gauff gave her verdict on the Parisian heat.
“Honestly, I’m from Florida, so like this is nothing!” she said.
“Shout out, Delray Beach.
“The reason I was using the ice is that the physio before I went on court, she was like, ‘Can you please use the ice today?’ because she knows I probably wouldn’t.
“So I listened to the instructions, and I used the ice.
“Honestly, I felt more bad for the fans, like, dang, you guys are watching us play in this heat, that’s tough.
“I was hoping no one passed out, so I’m glad I was able to keep it short, so we can have everyone healthy.
“But no, I think the best part of the heat, on my serve, it helps my ball bounce a lot more, I think it’s an advantage more than a disadvantage for me.”
Coco Gauff vs Taylor Townsend – Match stats
| Stats | Coco Gauff | Taylor Townsend |
| Aces | 1 | 1 |
| Double faults | 5 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 61% | 51% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 66% | 40% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 63% | 45% |
| Break points | 6/12 | 2/9 |
Using the heat to her advantage, Gauff won on her return to Court Philippe Chatrier.
“Obviously, I have a lot of great memories on this court, so really happy to be back here,” she said.
“I was a little nervous going out today, I think it showed.
“But I was able to find my calm and yeah, happy to be through to the next round.”
Gauff and Townsend’s first-round clash in Paris was their first career meeting in singles, despite playing nine times in doubles.
“Honestly, even though Taylor and I have known each other for so long, this is, I think, our first match on tour,” said Gauff.
“We know each other well off the court, but on the court, not so well.
“I watched her play so many times, but everybody plays every person differently, so I didn’t really know what to expect. But my team put together a good plan, and I felt like I executed it well for the most part.
“I obviously have a lot of respect for Taylor.
“It’s definitely different playing not only a lefty, but the lefty that Taylor plays… It’s a lot of spin, but I had a good hitting partner the last couple of days, it kind of helped me for today.”
Gauff was also keen to pay tribute to Althea Gibson, the first African American Grand Slam winner, who lifted the French Open title 70 years ago today.
“I think Taylor and I playing on Philippe Chatrier is a direct product of Althea Gibson,” she said.
“It’s an honour to be able to play today, a round of applause for her.
“It just shows the importance of breaking barriers in all aspects of the world, but especially in sport.
“I’m very grateful for people like her, Serena and Venus [Williams], Zina Garrison, and even more, for paving the way for us to be out here today.”
Mats Wilander makes Coco Gauff prediction after watching her beat Taylor Townsend
During TNT Sports’ post-match coverage, Mats Wilander commented on Gauff’s win over Townsend.
“The first set is very difficult to play, first of all, she has played on that centre court last year in the finals, but for a whole year, she hasn’t. And it takes a moment to get used to the court,” he said.
“It also takes a moment to get used to Taylor Townsend.
“She’s obviously left-handed, but she plays a very different style of tennis, she’s very aggressive, and comes to the net, one of the best doubles players in the world.
“She was coming to the net, pushing Gauff around in the first set.
“Coco Gauff seemed like she had a good serving day. We don’t know where her serve is, but it was interesting to hear her talk about how her serve is better when the sun is shining, which is very interesting.
“Her forehand is much better, because it bounces much higher.
“But once she gets the first set, this match is over, and Coco Gauff is going to be really, really tough to beat.”
Wilander believes Gauff will be ‘tough to beat’ in Paris, but who will take on that challenge next?
Winning her opening match in straight sets, Egypt’s Mayar Sherif set up a second-round clash with Gauff.
Gauff and Sherif have met once before, at the 2023 Cincinnati Open, a match the American won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
