Defending champion Coco Gauff continued her strong title defence at Roland Garros with a composed straight-sets victory over Egypt’s Mayar Sherif to move into the third round of the French Open 2026 on Thursday. While the scoreline reflected control, the American admitted the match tested her physically as Sherif pushed her through long rallies and difficult baseline exchanges on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Gauff secured a 6-3, 6-2 win in one hour and 37 minutes, extending her impressive consistency at Grand Slam tournaments and becoming one of the youngest active players to register 80 career main-draw victories at the majors. The world No. 2 was not at her sharpest throughout the contest but still found ways to manage key moments against a determined opponent known for her clay-court resilience.
The 22-year-old entered Paris carrying significant expectations after lifting her maiden French Open title last year. Since then, Gauff has established herself as one of the most complete players on the WTA Tour, balancing defensive athleticism with growing aggression from the baseline. Her run in 2025 also included deep appearances at the Australian Open and US Open, cementing her status as a consistent contender on the biggest stages.
Against Sherif, however, rhythm proved difficult to maintain during the early stages. The Egyptian qualifier mixed heavy topspin with looping returns and forced Gauff into several extended rallies. Sherif’s patience from the baseline initially disrupted the defending champion’s timing, particularly on the forehand side.
Despite the uneven start, Gauff managed to seize control midway through the opening set with aggressive returning and improved depth on her groundstrokes. After breaking serve for a 4-2 lead, she tightened defensively and closed the set 6-3 with a series of strong first serves.
Sherif, ranked outside the top 50, continued to fight in the second set and produced flashes of her trademark clay-court game. The 30-year-old has previously won multiple WTA Challenger titles on clay and became the first Egyptian woman to capture a WTA title in 2022. Her movement and heavy spin repeatedly drew errors from Gauff, but the American’s superior consistency ultimately proved decisive.
Gauff raised her level significantly midway through the second set, winning five of the final six games to complete the victory. Her backhand remained one of the standout weapons throughout the match, helping her redirect pace and control the longer exchanges whenever Sherif threatened to build momentum.
Speaking after the match, Gauff acknowledged the physical challenge posed by her opponent and admitted she was still searching for her best tennis during the tournament. “It was a physical tough match. I was really tested today. It took a lot of strength today,” Gauff said. “I will be focusing on getting more my rhythm back because I did not have it today.”
Although not entirely satisfied with her performance, Gauff’s ability to win comfortably without producing her highest level underlined the maturity she has developed over the last two seasons. The American has increasingly become known for finding solutions even on difficult days, a trait often associated with multiple-time Grand Slam champions.
Her defensive coverage once again frustrated opponents, while her improved serve helped her escape pressure during crucial moments. Gauff finished the match with 21 winners and converted four of her eight break-point opportunities.
The victory also continued a strong run for American women at Roland Garros this year, with several players advancing into the latter rounds during the opening week. Tennis analysts have highlighted the depth of the current American generation, led by Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, as one of the strongest in recent years.
For Sherif, the defeat still marked a respectable tournament after coming through qualifying to reach the second round. The Egyptian remains one of the leading figures in African tennis and continues to inspire growing interest in the sport across the region.
Gauff will now head into the third round aiming to sharpen her rhythm as the competition intensifies in Paris. With top seeds continuing to navigate tricky early-round encounters, the defending champion remains firmly among the favourites to lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen once again.
The French Open has already witnessed several high-profile exits in both draws during the opening week, increasing attention on established contenders like Gauff to deliver under pressure. Her composure and championship experience on clay could prove vital as the tournament progresses into its decisive stages.
Having already achieved success at Roland Garros at a young age, Gauff now faces the challenge of defending a Grand Slam title for the first time in her career. Thursday’s performance may not have been flawless, but it reinforced her ability to advance efficiently while conserving energy for tougher battles ahead in Paris.
