Breaking News: Chris Evert has identified one ‘little question’ mark about Coco Gauff after watching her first round at the French Open…see more

“Overall there’s a lot of positives to take,” Gauff said. “Obviously disappointed with maybe how I played (in the final). I feel like I could have showed up better.

But I went from an 0-6 set in the first round and made it to the final, so happy with that. Obviously hoping for more next time.”

Gauff lost in straight sets — 6-3, 7-6 (3) — to the top-ranked Sabalenka on Saturday. She had started her campaign by rallying to a 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Dayana Yastremska, then picked up straight-set wins over Ann Li, Belinda Bencic, Mirra Andreeva and second-ranked Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.

Gauff overpowered Swiatek in a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory. “Speaking on the week as a whole, on the ground I think today was like the only day where I felt really tested, and obviously in my first round, too,” Gauff said after the final.

“So there’s a lot of positives to take, and I think especially coming maybe from the last few weeks where I didn’t feel as confident on the ground, I think it is a step in the right direction, and just trying to look at the positives of it all.

I don’t like losing, first final loss since the French Open, so it’s a feeling that I know I don’t like.”