Coco Gauff cruises into French Open second round

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 at 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 in their only previous meeting in 2019, broke in the opening game.

READ: French Open: Coco Gauff at ease as she prepares to defend title

The 30-year-old held on her first two service games, but from 3-1 up in the opener, won only one more game. That was at 3-5 down in the first, 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 will face Egyptian Mayar Sherif in the next round.

Gauff applied ice during breaks in the cauldron of Philippe Chatrier but said that was only because her coach told her to.

“I’m from Florida so this is nothing,” the fourth seed said on court. “Honestly I felt more bad for the fans. Dang you’re watching in the heat and I hoped no one passed out. So I’m glad I finished quickly.”