It will be World No. 1 against World No. 2 in the women’s singles final at Roland Garros on Saturday, June 7, as Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff prepare for a much-anticipated title clash on the Parisian clay.
Gauff produced a clinical performance on Thursday to end the fairytale run of French wildcard Lois Bosson, ranked World No. 361. Earlier in the day, Sabalenka delivered one of her finest displays on clay, stunning four-time champion Iga Swiatek and snapping her 26-match winning streak at Roland Garros.
The two semi-finals could not have been more different in tone and tempo.
Gauff needed just 69 minutes to dismantle Bosson 6-1, 6-2, while Sabalenka had to battle for 2 hours and 13 minutes in a high-quality thriller, eventually prevailing 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 in a performance that underlined her title credentials.
GAUFF SILENCES PARTISAN PARIS CROWD
Facing a raucous French crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff showed poise and maturity beyond her years. Fully aware of the challenge, the American had done her homework—not just on Bosson’s game, but also on managing the crowd dynamics, particularly after seeing sixth seed Mirra Andreeva unravel under the pressure in the quarter-final.
“I was mentally prepared before the match that it was going to be 99% for her,” Gauff said in her on-court interview.
“But I just tried to block it out. Actually, when you guys were chanting her name, I was saying my own name to myself—just to psych myself up. You know, you have to do that sometimes.”
“But I think it’s an incredible atmosphere to play in front of this crowd, regardless of whether they’re for me or not. And I know you guys would usually root for me if I weren’t playing a French player, so I love you guys too,” she added.
On the court, it was one-way traffic. Gauff hit winners at will and raced to a 4-0 lead in the opening set, dominating the baseline exchanges. Bosson, despite her earlier heroics against Jessica Pegula and Andreeva, struggled to reproduce her best tennis under pressure.
The Frenchwoman committed 33 unforced errors—18 more than Gauff—and was unable to make inroads on return, winning just 38% of points on her first serve and 39 percent on her second.
Although she lifted her level slightly in the second set, Bosson couldn’t prevent Gauff from sealing victory in emphatic style, the American keen to conserve energy ahead of her second Roland Garros final.
Bosson, nonetheless, departs Paris with her head held high. The 22-year-old began the tournament ranked World No. 361 and exits as No. 64. Just a fortnight ago, she was 24th in France’s women’s singles rankings—she is now the French No. 1.
GAUFF READY FOR SECONDS SHOT AT GLORY
Gauff, who lost the 2022 final to Swiatek, believes the experience of that moment will stand her in good stead when she takes on Sabalenka.
“Yeah, it definitely will help me. I was super nervous going into that final [in 2022],” she said.
“Obviously, I’m playing Aryna. It’s going to be a tough match, but overall I think I’m just really proud of myself.”
SABALENKA FLOORS SWIATEK
Sabalenka produced one of the most impressive performances of her career to defeat Swiatek and reach her first Roland Garros final. Her power game—relentless and unforgiving—proved too much for the defending champion.
In a stunning reversal, Sabalenka bageled Swiatek in the final set, handing the Pole a rare 6-0 set defeat on her favourite surface.
The Belarusian has now reached three consecutive Grand Slam finals, following her triumph at the 2023 US Open and a runner-up finish at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Saturday’s final will mark the 11th meeting between Gauff and Sabalenka, with the head-to-head locked at 5-5. Notably, Sabalenka defeated Gauff in straight sets in Madrid earlier this clay season—a win that adds an extra layer of intrigue to their impending showdown.
