The highly anticipated French Open women`s singles final will feature world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka facing world No. 2 Coco Gauff this Saturday, with both players seeking their first Roland-Garros title.
This matchup marks the first time the world`s top two players have met in the Paris final since 2013, and only the second instance in three decades.
Sabalenka is a three-time Grand Slam champion, but Gauff secured her first major title by defeating Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open final.
Their head-to-head record is evenly split at 5 wins each. Sabalenka won their most recent clay encounter in Madrid last month. Gauff has had a strong clay season, reaching finals in Madrid and Rome.
Gauff, aged 21, could be the first American woman since Serena Williams (2015) to win the Roland-Garros trophy. She expressed perspective on the match`s outcome, stating its importance is `minuscule` compared to life`s bigger issues.
Reflecting after her semi-final win, Gauff commented, “Everybody is dealing with way bigger things in life than losing a final… the sun still rose the next day. Regardless of the result, the sun will still rise.”
Sabalenka reached the final by defeating Iga Swiatek, ending Swiatek`s 26-match winning streak at Roland-Garros and her bid for a fourth consecutive title. Sabalenka, who took over the world No. 1 ranking from Swiatek last October, won the semi-final 7-6 (7-1) 4-6 6-0.
Sabalenka boasts an impressive 40-6 record this season with three titles, all previously on hard courts. However, her dedication to improving on clay is evident in her results this spring.
Sabalenka shared her past struggles on clay, saying, “Almost like my whole life, I`ve been told [clay] is not my thing, and then I didn`t have any confidence.” She added that her improved game allows her to “feel really comfortable on this surface and actually enjoy playing on clay,” and winning the trophy “is just going to mean the world for us.” She will remain world No. 1 regardless of the final result.
Describing her adapted clay strategy, Sabalenka noted, “I can go flat. I can play with the spin. I can go back and play in defence. That`s what works the best on the clay court for me.”
Sabalenka`s game is characterized by aggressive hitting, regardless of the surface.
In contrast, Gauff, while working on forehand aggression, typically relies on her speed, instincts, and defensive skills to make opponents hit extra shots.
Gauff anticipates Sabalenka`s approach, stating, “She`s going to come out swinging. I just have to expect that and do my best to kind of counter that.”
Key Stats and Notable Numbers
- The world No 1 and No 2 will face each other in a women`s singles Grand Slam final for the first time since the Australian Open 2018 (Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki) and for the first time at Roland Garros since 2013 (Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova).
- With 17 clay-court main-draw match-wins apiece in 2025, Sabalenka and Gauff have the most tour-level wins on clay this season at WTA Tour events.
- Sabalenka could become the fourth woman to win the titles at Madrid and Roland Garros in a single season after Serena Williams (2013), Maria Sharapova (2014), and Iga Swiatek (2024).
- Sabalenka is the third woman this century to reach multiple Grand Slam singles finals in three or more consecutive years, joining Venus Williams (2000-2003) and Serena Williams (2008-2010).
- Gauff is the youngest player to claim 70 Grand Slam singles wins in her career since Maria Sharapova hit that number in 2007.
- Gauff leads in break points converted during this tournament with 40. Sabalenka is second with 30.
How Sabalenka and Gauff Reached the Final
Sabalenka is the first woman to reach the singles final in three consecutive Grand Slam events (2024 US Open, 2025 Australian Open, and French Open) since Serena Williams (Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, all in 2016).
Sabalenka`s run to the final:
- 1R: beat Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 6-0
- 2R: beat Jil Teichmann 6-3 6-1
- 3R: beat Olga Danilovic 6-2 6-3
- 4R: beat [16] Amanda Anisimova 7-5 6-3
- QF: beat [8] Zheng Qinwen 7-6 (7-3) 6-3
- SF: beat [5] Iga Swiatek 7-6 (7-1) 4-6 6-0
At 21, Gauff is the youngest player to reach the finals at WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome, along with the French Open, in a single year.
Gauff`s run to the final:
- 1R: beat Olivia Gadecki 6-2 6-2
- 2R: beat [Q] Tereza Valentova 6-2 6-4
- 3R: beat Marie Bouzkova 6-1 7-6 (7-3)
- 4R: beat [20] Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0 7-5
- QF: beat [7] Madison Keys 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-1
- SF: beat [WC] Lois Boisson 6-1 6-2
Their career head-to-head record is tied at 5-5. They have faced each other twice in Grand Slams (1-1) and twice on clay courts (1-1).
