World number one Aryna Sabalenka will face second-ranked Coco Gauff in a French Open final that marks the first time in seven years that the top two women’s players will contest a Grand Slam championship match.
The championship bout, scheduled for today at 2 pm (WAT) on Court Philippe Chatrier, guarantees a new women’s singles champion regardless of the outcome. Sabalenka is seeking her fourth major singles title, while Gauff aims to capture her second Grand Slam trophy.
Both players arrived at this historic final through contrasting semifinal victories, showcasing their strengths and tournament narratives. Sabalenka delivered perhaps the performance of the tournament, ending four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek’s remarkable 26-match winning streak with an impressive three-set victory.
Meanwhile, Gauff faced a different challenge, efficiently dispatching French wildcard Lois Boisson in straight sets despite playing against a partisan home crowd supporting the local hero’s fairytale run.
Sabalenka’s path to the final continues an extraordinary period of consistency at tennis’s highest level. The 27-year-old Belarusian has now reached three successive major singles finals, becoming the first woman to achieve that feat since Serena Williams accomplished it nine years ago. Her dominance extends beyond Grand Slams, as she has competed in 10 tournaments this year, reaching seven finals, and leads the WTA Tour with 40 wins in 46 matches.
For Gauff, this final represents another significant milestone in her rapidly ascending career. The 21-year-old American, who won the US Open in 2023 and finished runner-up in Paris three years ago, continues to establish herself as a formidable force on clay courts. She has made history by becoming the youngest woman to reach the finals at Madrid, Rome, and the French Open in the same year.
Her Roland Garros final appearance has also made her the youngest player to accumulate 70 wins at Grand Slam tournaments since Maria Sharapova in 2007, highlighting her precocious talent and consistency on tennis’s biggest stages.
The head-to-head record between the two competitors stands perfectly balanced, with five wins apiece from their 10 previous encounters, adding extra intrigue to their championship showdown. The winner will take home 2.5 million euros (£2.1m) and 2,000 ranking points.
Sabalenka, who has won the Australian Open twice and claimed last year’s US Open title, is competing in her first Roland Garros final. The significance of potentially winning on clay courts is not lost on her.
“It’s going to mean everything to me and my team,” Sabalenka said when asked about the prospect of winning the French Open. “Almost (my) whole life, I’ve been told (clay) is not my thing, and then I didn’t have any confidence. If I’ll be able to get this trophy, it’s going to mean the world for us.”
Gauff, bidding for her first title of the season, acknowledges the tactical challenge ahead but remains confident in her ability to compete with the world’s best.
“She’s going to come out aggressive, she’s going to come out swinging,” Gauff said. “I think I just have to expect that and do my best to kind of counter that. Anything can happen on Saturday. I’m looking forward to it, and I’m glad to be going up against a world number one, too.”
The American’s strategy will likely centre on her exceptional defensive abilities, attempting to withstand Sabalenka’s power and draw her into longer rallies. Holding serve and minimising double faults will be crucial for maintaining pressure on Sabalenka while creating opportunities to capitalise on her tournament-leading tally of converted break points (40).
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