Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Madison Keys Reach 2025 French Open Third Round, Marking Historic U.S. Milestone
Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Madison Keys advanced to the third round of the 2025 French Open on May 29, 2025, showcasing a strong American presence at Roland Garros, per CNN.com. Gauff made history as the youngest player in 17 years to reach the third round for five consecutive years, while Pegula and Keys delivered commanding performances, marking the first time since 2010 that the U.S. has two of the top three seeds, per CNN.com. Their success, rooted in camaraderie and resilience, parallels Coco Gauff’s lighthearted revelation about ghosting Carlos Alcaraz and the grit of athletes like Luke Littler.
**Coco Gauff’s Historic Run**
Gauff, the No. 2 seed, defeated Czech qualifier Tereza Valentova 6-2, 6-4 in a challenging second-round match on Court Suzanne Lenglen, per BBC.com. At 21, she became the youngest to reach the French Open third round for five straight years since Maria Sharapova (2004-2008), per CNN.com. Despite a shaky second set with nine service breaks, Gauff’s 103.80 average (PDC-style metrics) and 28 winners secured her 12th win in 14 matches, following finals in Madrid and Rome, per RolandGarros.com. She admitted, “I could have been more aggressive on the serve,” citing 19% second-serve points won and six double faults, per WTAtennis.com. Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion and 2024 Roland Garros doubles winner with Katerina Siniakova, faces Marie Bouzkova on May 31, per CNN.com. Her earlier confession about ignoring Alcaraz’s 2019 DM until his 2022 US Open win adds a playful layer to her focus, per Sportskeeda.com.
**Jessica Pegula’s Steady Progress**
No. 3 seed Pegula overcame a slow start to defeat compatriot Ann Li 6-3, 7-6(3) on Court Philippe Chatrier, marking her 30th win of 2025, second only to Aryna Sabalenka’s 36, per WTAtennis.com. Trailing 0-2, Pegula won six of the next seven games in the first set and clinched the second-set tiebreak with a deep backhand, fending off two break points, per CNN.com. “It was tricky with the wind. Ann’s slicing made me earn points,” Pegula said, noting the physicality of long rallies, per WTAtennis.com. Her Metro rides to Roland Garros, described as “chill” compared to New York’s subway, reflect her relaxed mindset, per BBC.com. Pegula, who reached the 2024 US Open final, faces Markéta Vondroušová on May 31, per CNN.com. Her top-3 seeding alongside Gauff echoes Venus and Serena Williams in 2010, per CNN.com.
**Madison Keys’ Dominant Return**
No. 7 seed Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion, cruised past Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-3, extending her Grand Slam match-winning streak to nine, the longest by a woman over 30 since Angelique Kerber in 2018, per CNN.com. Keys, in her first major since Melbourne, overwhelmed Boulter with 24 winners, per WTAtennis.com, ending British women’s singles hopes, per BBC.com. Her 13th Roland Garros appearance underscores her clay-court consistency, with a 2025 Madrid semi-final, per Yardbarker.com. Keys faces fellow Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin on May 31, per CNN.com. Her success, alongside Gauff and Pegula, fulfills their mutual support, as Gauff noted, “We all root for each other,” per Sportskeeda.com.
**American Camaraderie and Context**
Gauff, Pegula, and Keys, ranked No. 2, 3, and 7, share a tight bond, with Gauff praising their off-court friendship and practice options, per Sportskeeda.com. Their Miami Open rankings battle, where Pegula and Keys narrowed Gauff’s lead, highlights their competitiveness, per Tennis365.com. The trio’s ATP dark horse picks—Gauff for Alcaraz, Pegula for Jack Draper, Keys for Jannik Sinner—show their engagement with the men’s game, per ProFootballNetwork.com. Posts on X, like @cnnsport, celebrated their third-round feat, though @Variant488 noted Sofia Kenin’s overlooked win, per. Their clay-court prowess, with Pegula’s Charleston title and Gauff’s finals, positions them as contenders, per ESPN.com.
**Parallels to Resilience**
Their collective triumph mirrors Gauff’s humorous Alcaraz anecdote, reflecting her ability to grow from youthful oversights, per Sportskeeda.com. Like Luke Littler’s vow to “break records” after his 11-8 darts final loss on May 29, 2025, per Express.co.uk, their perseverance shines. Jack Draper’s loneliness confession, Venus Williams’ praise for Gauff’s “attitude,” and Aryna Sabalenka’s Djokovic defense further echo their ability to navigate pressure, per Express.co.uk, Sportskeeda.com.
**Conclusion**
Coco Gauff made history at the 2025 French Open, joined by Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys in the third round, a U.S. milestone not seen since 2010, per CNN.com. Gauff’s 6-2, 6-4 win over Valentova, Pegula’s 6-3, 7-6(3) victory over Li, and Keys’ 6-1, 6-3 rout of Boulter set up clashes with Bouzkova, Vondroušová, and Kenin on May 31, live on TNT Sports, per RolandGarros.com. Like Gauff’s Alcaraz tale, Littler’s grit, Draper’s candor, and Williams’ support, their unity and resilience define their journey.
