In what caused major excitement for tennis fans, American teenager Coco Gauff teamed up with the legendary Venus Williams in the women’s doubles at the French Open 2021. They were up against the 13th seeds Saisai Zheng and Ellen Perez. It was their first meeting, and the battle was won by the 13th seeded pair 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3 which lasted for over two hours. 

Set 1: Venus Williams and Coco Gauff hold nerve during the tiebreaker 

The American pair began serving first and raced to a 1-0 lead. In the fourth game of the set, the 13th seeds were broken for the first time in the match. Things continued normally until the seventh game when Zheng and Perez broke Coco Gauff and Venus Williams to level things up. 

At 5-5, the match was well balanced, and both teams were ready to go the distance to draw first blood. Eventually, the outcome of the set had to be decided in a tiebreaker. 

As the tiebreaker began, the American pair got the mini-break and raced to a 2-0 lead. After close to seven minutes in the tiebreaker, they clinched the opening set 7-6 (5). 

Both teams played a high-intensity first set, and it was a matter of a few points that made the difference. Gauff and Williams won 40 points during the set, whereas Zheng and Perez won 36 points. 

Set 2: Saisai Zheng and Ellen Perez raise the bar 

The second set began with Zheng and Perez getting broken in the first game. However, they raised their spirits and broke the American pair in the very next game. 

At 3-3, both teams exchanged breaks only to level things again at 4-4. In the 10th game of the set, Zheng and Perez break the Americans to clinch the set 6-4. 

Set 3: Coco Gauff and Venus Williams fail to overcome 13th seeds 

The 13th seeds began serving in the decider and held their serve after indulging in close-fought points. During the fourth game, Zheng and Perez sensed an opportunity and caused damage, taking a 3-1 lead. 

However, Gauff and Williams had other ideas and broke right back. The experience of the 13th seeds helped them see through the win after they sealed the set 6-3. 

The 13th seeds will face the winner of the match between the Canadian pairing of Gabriela Dabrowski and Leylah Annie Fernandez versus Georgina Garcia Perez and Julia Wachaczyk. It will be interesting to see who makes it to the second week of the French Open 2021.

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