French Open 2026: Coco Gauff beats Mayar Sherif in straight sets to move through to third round at Roland-Garros

Reigning champion Coco Gauff moved through to the third round of the 2026 French Open with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Mayar Sherif on Thursday (28 May).

"It was physical and a tough match, my patience was tested today but Maya is was a great player, she makes sure you compete for every point and I didn't get many easy points," Gauff said afterwards. "I am happy with how I played."

The two-time tennis Grand Slam champion got off to a strong start, holding her serve then breaking on Sherif’s first service game for a 2-0 lead. But Sherif levelled the opening set as she broke Gauff back for 3-2.

Sherif then faced two break points in the next game, saving both before a series of deuces was interrupted by a fan requiring medical attention in the stands.

When play resumed, Gauff failed to convert her fourth break point of the game but finished the job moments later on her fifth chance.

The topsy-turvy nature of the match continued with Sherif breaking back immediately to level the set. Gauff responded in kind for a 5-4 lead and the chance to serve for the set.

The American held at love for the 6-3 win.

She carried that momentum into the second set, breaking in the opening game but, just as in the first set, Gauff couldn't consolidate. Sherif broke back for one game all. The pair traded breaks once more before Gauff went on a run of four straight games to close out the set and match.

She'll face either Great Britain's Katie Boulter or Austria's Anastasia Potapova next.

Gauff is not looking too far ahead, she says, after what proved to be a tricky match-up on Thursday.

"I have no expectations, I am just having fun. I will focus on enjoying the journey and focus on the process and not the results," she explained of her approach. "Tomorrow I will focus on getting the rhythm back, I am happy with how I played, she didn't make it easy for me."

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