American star Coco Gauff ended French fan favorite Lois Boisson`s impressive run at Roland-Garros, winning their semifinal match 6-1, 6-2. With this victory, Gauff secured her spot in Saturday`s final. She will compete against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who advanced by defeating four-time champion Iga Swiatek and breaking her 26-match winning streak at the French Open.
In the first Grand Slam encounter between the WTA`s top two players since the 2022 US Open, Sabalenka emerged victorious with a score of 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-0 in a highly contested and fluctuating match.
Gauff Defeats French Hopeful Boisson to Reach Final
Boisson, ranked 361st globally and making her Grand Slam debut, found the semifinal against world No. 2 Gauff a challenge too great. Despite the loss, her performance throughout the tournament was remarkable. She became the lowest-ranked woman to reach the Roland-Garros semifinals in 40 years and the lowest-ranked quarterfinalist at any Grand Slam since 2017. Her memorable journey included victories over seeded players such as Elise Mertens (24th seed), Jessica Pegula (world No. 3), and Mirra Andreeva (last year`s semifinalist and sixth seed).
The reigning US Open champion, Gauff, displayed calm confidence, securing a decisive straight-sets victory by losing only three games in total. Her win quieted the enthusiastic home crowd, who were hoping to cheer on the first French female semifinalist since Marion Bartoli in 2011.
Gauff quickly established dominance in the first set, breaking Boisson`s serve twice and saving three break points to win it 6-1. In the second set, Boisson managed to break back briefly after losing her serve, sparking faint hopes of a comeback. However, Gauff quickly reasserted control, winning the next three games emphatically to secure the match and advance to her second French Open final, her first since 2022.
Gauff previously reached the French Open final in 2022, where she finished as runner-up to Swiatek. The following year, she claimed her first Grand Slam title at the US Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
After the match, Gauff commented on the importance of starting strongly, acknowledging Boisson as “an incredible player” who “definitely proved she is one of the best players in the world – especially on clay.” She added that she expects “many more battles in the future” against Boisson. Addressing the crowd, Gauff mentioned it was her first time playing a French player at Roland-Garros. “I was mentally prepared that it was to be 99 per cent for her,” she explained, “so I was trying to block it out. When you were saying her name, I was saying my name to myself just to psyche myself.”
Although Boisson`s remarkable Grand Slam debut run concluded, her performance significantly impacted her career. Her estimated earnings of £580,000 from the tournament are approximately five times her previous career total. Reaching the final four will also propel her ranking, expected to rise to around 65th in the world, opening new opportunities. Reflecting on the semifinal, she stated, “Today it was quite simply too tough for me. I couldn`t manage to get my game going, but, apart from today`s match, the tournament as a whole was very positive.”
Sabalenka Ends Swiatek`s Reign, Advances to First Roland-Garros Final
Aryna Sabalenka ended Iga Swiatek`s dominance on clay at Roland-Garros. The world No. 1, already a three-time hard-court Grand Slam champion, reached her first French Open final. Swiatek had been aiming to become the first woman in the Open Era to win four consecutive titles in Paris.
Sabalenka`s powerful game immediately put pressure on the Pole, allowing Sabalenka to quickly take a 3-0 lead with two early service breaks. Sabalenka seemed poised to take a commanding 5-1 lead, but a `let` call on what she thought was an ace denied her. This seemed to shift momentum, as Swiatek won four games in a row, leveling the score at 4-4 after a double-fault from Sabalenka, and then moving ahead 5-4. However, Sabalenka recovered impressively, ultimately winning the crucial first set by dominating the tie-breaker, dropping only one point.
Serving remained inconsistent for both players at the start of the second set, resulting in three consecutive breaks. Swiatek eventually found her rhythm on serve and closed out the set to level the match. In the deciding third set, Sabalenka elevated her game significantly (along with her trademark powerful grunts). She completely dominated, winning the set 6-0. The five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek managed to win only six points in the entire final set, appearing to lose energy.
This outcome continues a difficult stretch for Swiatek, who remarkably has not reached a final at any tournament since her victory at Roland-Garros last year, her fourth title in Paris and third consecutive win.
After her win, Sabalenka commented on the final set, saying, “I mean, 6-love. It could not be more perfect than that.” She expressed her joy, stating, “Honestly, it feels incredible, but I understand the job is not done yet. I`m just thrilled today with this win and the atmosphere in the stadium.” She praised Swiatek, calling her “the toughest opponent, especially on clay, especially at Roland-Garros.” Sabalenka concluded, “It was a tough match, it was a tricky match, but I managed and I`m super proud right now.”
Expert Analysis from Tim Henman
Analyzing the match on TNT Sports, former British No. 1 Tim Henman described Sabalenka`s performance as “amazing.” He noted that the first two sets were unpredictable, with both players competing intensely. However, he characterized the third set as an “absolute demolition job.” Henman highlighted the rarity of Swiatek losing a set on clay, especially a 6-0 set in a Grand Slam semifinal on her preferred surface, calling it a “staggering outcome.” He praised Sabalenka`s “ball-striking” and her ability to “just able to dominate proceedings,” calling it “incredible” and stating it “couldn`t have been more perfect than that.”
Commenting on Coco Gauff`s victory, Henman described her play as “brilliant in every department.” He commended her strategic execution, calling her “so solid, so consistent.” Mentally, he observed that Gauff successfully blocked out the crowd and showed “relentless concentration,” delivering a “perfect performance to get through to the final.” Regarding Boisson, Henman predicted that “when the dust settles,” she will reflect positively on her two weeks in Paris and recognize “how that is going to change her life.” He pointed out her significant ranking leap from 361st into the top 70 (specifically 65th), anticipating that “opportunities will open up” and she will “be able to build on this performance with so much confidence going forward.”
