New Delhi: The two best women’s players in th world are set to collide for the final glory in Paris. Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are set to square off at the French Open on Court Philippe Chatrier, with the winner set to lift their first-ever Roland-Garros crown.
Sabalenka is chasing her fourth major singles title while Gauff is looking to claim her second Grand Slam after winning the US Open last year. This is the first time since 2013 the World No.1 and No.2 have reached the Women’s singles Roland Garros final.
The World No.1 will arrive in the final on the back of a stunning victory over four-time champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. Sabalenka’s powerful game and relentless aggression have carried her to her third straight major final, making her the first woman to achieve that feat since Serena Williams.
THE TIGER TAKES OUT THE DEFENDING CHAMP OUT 🐯#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/6NAsOwx2Yb
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Coco Gauff has quietly put together her solid run to the final as she overcame a partisan home crowd to end Lois Boisson’s dream run in straight sets in the semifinals. The 21-year-old American will return to a court that saw her finish runner-up in 2022.
Gauff is even the youngest woman to reach the finals at Madrid, Rome and the French Open in the same year. With her run to the French Open, she even became the youngest player to amass 70 wins at Grand Slam tournaments since Maria Sharapova in 2007.
Head-to-head battles
When it comes to head-to-head meetings, there is very little to separate the two. Over the years, they have faced each other 10 times, with each winning five matches. Each has a Grand slaqm victory over the other- Gauff beat Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open final while Sabalenka got her revenge in the 2024 Australian Open semifinals.
Ahead of their 11th career meeting 👀
Take a look back at @CocoGauff & @SabalenkaA‘s match ups on the Hologic WTA Tour!
— wta (@WTA) June 5, 2025
Their most recent clash on clay in Madrid saw Sabalenka win in straight sets. This will mark their 11th meeting, and the Belarusian, having defeated her in three of their four meetings. With each of their previous encounters featuring big swings in momentum, Saturday’s final could be a nail-biter.
The deciding factor
Sabalenka’s game is built around power but she has worked hard to adapt her style for clay. Her groundstrokes can rush even the best defenders, and when she’s serving well, she’s nearly unstoppable. But clay has never been considered her best surface, but that seemed changed this season as her win over Swiatek showed she can adapt her game to clay’s unique challenges.
She will look to prove the doubters wrong, “Almost my whole life I’ve been told clay isn’t my thing,” she said. “If I win this, it would mean the world to me and my team.”
On the other hand, Gauff has made her name as a counterpuncher. Her defence, court coverage, and ability to turn defence into offence make her a tricky opponent for anyone. If she’s to win on Saturday, her serve will need to hold up, especially given Sabalenka’s ability to attack second serves. The Americans’ plan will be to extend rallies and draw errors from Sabalenka.
Match Prediction
It’s a tough match to pick a winner. Sabalenka has the power and momentum, having won three of their last four meetings. But Gauff’s experience in the Roland Garros final and her defensive skills could make her a serious threat, especially if Sabalenka’s nerves kick in.
Ultimately, Sabalenka’s confidence and recent form give her the slight edge. If she keeps her unforced errors in check and brings the same intensity she showed against Swiatek, she should be able to overpower Gauff in straight sets, but expect a fierce contest and some momentum swings can be expected from the clash.
Sabalenka and Gauff clash in the French Open final. A new Roland Garros champion awaits- who will conquer the clay in Paris? Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
