World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is eyeing a first French Open crown in a much-anticipated showdown with second-ranked Coco Gauff in Saturday’s final at Roland Garros.
The clash marks the first Grand Slam final between the top two women’s players since Caroline Wozniacki defeated Simona Halep at the 2018 Australian Open.
This will be a rematch of the 2023 US Open final, where Sabalenka took the opening set before Gauff staged a dramatic comeback to win her maiden major.
The pair are level at 5-5 in their head-to-head, though Sabalenka won their most recent encounter in the Madrid Open final last month.
Saturday’s final also marks Sabalenka’s first appearance in a major final outside of hard courts.
“In the last few years, we’ve developed my game a lot and I actually enjoy playing on clay now,” said Sabalenka, who ended Iga Swiatek’s 26-match Roland Garros winning streak with a ruthless 6-0 final set in the semifinals. “If I can lift this trophy, it would mean the world to us. I’m ready to fight for every point and give it everything I have.”
Despite her dominant semifinal performance, Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, knows the job isn’t done yet.
“That match with Iga felt like a final, but I know there’s still one more step. I’ll need to bring my best tennis against Coco,” she added.
Gauff, meanwhile, is bidding to become only the third woman to win two Grand Slam titles before turning 22, joining Maria Sharapova and Iga Swiatek. Now 21, the American returns to the Roland Garros final two years after a tearful loss to Swiatek in her first major final.
“This time, I feel more confident,” said Gauff. “I’ve been here before and know what to expect. I’m just going to give it my all and stay as calm and relaxed as I can.”
Gauff praised Sabalenka’s physical game and resilience, saying: “Her ball striking is incredible. She can hit winners from anywhere, and she’s a fighter — she stays in every match no matter the score.”
This will be Sabalenka’s seventh WTA final of the season — the most by any player at this stage of the year since Serena Williams in 2013. Gauff, who hasn’t reached a Grand Slam final since defeating Sabalenka in New York, is relishing the opportunity to face the top seed again.
“Honestly, it feels like the US Open wasn’t that long ago,” she said. “We’ve had some tough battles. Anything can happen on Saturday, and I’m excited for the challenge of facing the world No. 1.”
