Coco Gauff stunned World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win the French Open with an incredible comeback from a set down to win her second grand slam title.
Gauff had lost a one-sided French Open final to Iga Swiatek three years ago but demonstrated the immense improvements she has made to her game by defeating Sabalenka in another major final, winning 6-7 6-2 6-4 in over two and a half hours.
The World No 2 had won the US Open by beating Sabalenka in 2023, and repeated the trick as she overturned the momentum of the match behind her determined defence to draw errors from an erratic Sabalenka, who has now lost back-to-back grand slam finals this year.
On Sunday, it will be No 1 vs No 2 again as Jannik Sinner takes on defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster men’s final. Sinner and Alcaraz will be meeting in a grand slam final for the first time, as their generational rivalry enters a new chapter.
Follow live updates and scores from the French Open final below
French Open LIVE: Latest scores and updates
- Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka to win French Open final
- Gauff battles from a set down to win three-set thriller 6-7 6-2 6-4
- American is now a two-time grand slam champion at the age of 21
- Sabalenka says 'terrible' final the 'worst I have played all year'
Coco Gauff responds to Aryna Sabalenka over ‘not fair’ French Open final claim
Saturday 7 June 2025 21:42 , Jamie BraidwoodCoco Gauff said Aryna Sabalenka’s suggestion that she would have lost the French Open final to Iga Swiatek was not “fair” after the American won her first Roland Garros title by beating the World No 1.
In difficult, windy conditions, Gauff fought from a set down to defeat Sabalenka 6-7 6-2 6-2 and win her second grand slam title on the Paris clay. However, a disgruntled Sabalenka criticised her own performance, in which she made 70 unforced errors, and said “it was the worst final I have ever played”.
Sabalenka had defeated Swiatek in the semi-finals, to end the Pole’s 26-match winning run at Roland Garros, but could not get the job done as she lost to Gauff for her second grand slam final defeat in a row.
Coco Gauff responds to Aryna Sabalenka over ‘not fair’ French Open final claim
Coco Gauff on French Open win: 'It wasn't pretty'
Saturday 7 June 2025 20:30 , Jamie Braidwood“It was super tough when I walked on the court and felt the wind because we warmed up with the roof closed,” she said.
“I was, like, ‘this is going to be a tough day’, and I knew it was just going to be about willpower and mental.
“It really came down to the last few points, but overall I’m just really happy with the fight that I managed today.
“It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done, and that’s all that matters.”
Another blockbuster final coming up tomorrow
Saturday 7 June 2025 19:56 , Jamie BraidwoodTomorrow, Jannik Sinner will play Carlos Alcaraz for the French Open title on Sunday, with the sport’s two young rivals contesting a grand slam final for the first time.
Defending champion Alcaraz, 22, will bid for a second French Open and fifth grand slam but will have to end World No 1 Sinner’s winning streak over five sets.
The 23-year-old Italian, who defeated Novak Djokovic in straight-sets in the semi-finals, has won 20 matches in a row at the grand slams and will search for his third consecutive grand slam title in his first Roland Garros final.
World No 2 Alcaraz has beaten Sinner in their last four matches in a row, including last month’s Italian Open final in Rome. The Spaniard reached the final when Lorenzo Musetti retired injured in the semis.
Between them, Alcaraz and Sinner have won the last five grand slam titles and their first meeting in a major final is unlikely to be the last time they face each other for the sport’s biggest prizes.
Carlos Alcaraz v Jannik Sinner start time: When is French Open final?
Aryna Sabalenka claims Iga Swiatek would have beaten Coco Gauff in final
Saturday 7 June 2025 19:31 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka said that her defeat to Coco Gauff in the French Open final hurts even more because she feels Iga Swiatek would have beaten the American if they played in the same match.
Sabalenka had defeated Swiatek in the semi-finals, to end the Pole’s 26-match winning run at Roland Garros, but could not get the job done to beat Gauff in the final as the 21-year-old won her first title.
“That hurts,” Sabalenka said. “Especially when you've been playing really great tennis during the whole week, when you've been playing against a lot of tough opponents, Olympic champion [Qinwen Zheng], Iga and then you go out, and you play really bad.
“Like I think Iga - if Iga would [have] won [against me] another day, I think she would go out today and she would get the win. It just hurts. Honestly hurts. I've been playing really well, and then in the last match, go out there and perform like I did, that's hurt.”
How brilliant Coco Gauff tormented Aryna Sabalenka to win a ‘terrible’ French Open final
Saturday 7 June 2025 19:10 , Jamie BraidwoodWhen Coco Gauff played her first French Open final at the age of 18, she walked onto Court Philippe-Chatrier having already written off her chances. Three years later, as she returned to the Roland-Garros final, Gauff similarly believed that there would only be one outcome when she faced Aryna Sabalenka.
Only this time, in an epic, turbulent three-set comeback, there was no giving up, no lost causes, as Gauff dismantled the World No. 1 and mastered the difficult, gusty conditions to become a two-time grand slam champion at the age of 21.
With equal amounts of resilience and composure, Gauff overturned an imperious start from Sabalenka and executed another perfect game plan, with this 6-7 6-2 6-4 bearing remarkable significance to her victory over the same opponent in the 2023 US Open final. After absorbing Sabalenka’s heavy blows, Gauff counter-punched her way out of trouble, scrambling her opponent’s powerful attacking game with incredible athleticism and sheer determination.
How Coco Gauff tormented Aryna Sabalenka to win a ‘terrible’ French Open final
Milestones for Coco Gauff after winning French Open title
Saturday 7 June 2025 18:50 , Jamie BraidwoodWith victory in the French Open final, Coco Gauff has:
- Won a second grand slam title, and first on clay
- Become the first American player to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015
- Become the youngest American to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2002
Aryna Sabalenka: 'It's a joke, I cannot do that anymore'
Saturday 7 June 2025 18:36 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka on what happened after taking a 4-1 in the first set against Coco Gauff and winning the first-set tiebreak to lead the French Open final.
“I think it was more windy and it got more windy. Also, I think I was overemotional. I think today I didn't really handle myself quite well mentally.
“I was just making unforced errors. I have to check the statistics. I think she won the match not because she played incredible; just because I made all of those mistakes from kind of like from easy balls.
“Right now I don't see how can I be easy on myself, because honestly it's the worst match I've played in the last couple of months. It's just a joke. I cannot do that anymore in the finals.”
Aryna Sabalenka: 'It felt like she was hitting the ball from the frame'
Saturday 7 June 2025 18:19 , Jamie BraidwoodA disgruntled Aryna Sabalenka after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff.
“Honestly sometimes it felt like she was hitting the ball from the frame. Somehow magically the ball lands in the court, and you are on the back foot.
“It felt like a joke, honestly, like somebody from above was just staying there laughing, like, let's see if you can handle this.
“It's another tough final in a Grand Slam against Coco. Another terrible performance from me against Coco in the final.
“I have to just kind of, like, step back and look at this from the perspective and try to finally learn the lesson, because I cannot go out there every time against her in the finals of the Grand Slam and play such terrible tennis and give those wins, not easily, but like, emotionally, you know?”
Coco Gauff factbox
Saturday 7 June 2025 18:02 , Lawrence OstlereAge: 21
Nation: United States
WTA ranking: 2
Seeding: 2
Grand Slam titles: 2 (U.S. Open 2023, French Open 2025)
Match summary
Saturday 7 June 2025 17:45 , Lawrence OstlereCoco Gauff won her first French Open title after a rollercoaster final against Aryna Sabalenka to be crowned the new queen of clay.
A mesmerising, marathon match between the world's two best players went the way of the second seed, 6-7 (5) 6-2 6-4.
The breezy Paris conditions contributed to a combined total of 100 unforced errors and 15 breaks of serve.
But that did not take away from some glorious shot-making, breathtaking power hitting and drama of the highest order.
It was the first time the top two women's seeds had contested a Roland Garros final since Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova in 2013.
Coco Gauff speaks
Saturday 7 June 2025 17:36 , Lawrence Ostlere“I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such support from the French crowd but I really appreciate it.
“I’m gonna quote Tyler The Creator, who said ‘If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I think I was lying’. I’ll leave that with you guys.”
Coco Gauff wins the French Open
Saturday 7 June 2025 17:28 , Lawrence OstlereCoco Gauff raises the famous trophy aloft and smiles. What a performance, storming back from a set down to claim the title. The Star-Spangled Banner plays over Philippe Chatrier.
Sabalenka: 'It really hurts'
Saturday 7 June 2025 17:24 , Lawrence OstlereAryna Sabalenka is handed the runner-up plate by four-time winner Justine Henin, and she wells up as she’s passed the microphone. “In tough conditions I played a terrible match and it really hurts. But congrats Coco, you were better than me.
“Thank you to my team for your support, I’m sorry for this terrible final. As always, I’ll come back stronger.”
Coco Gauff wins the French Open
Saturday 7 June 2025 17:20 , Lawrence OstlereThe winning moment:
Coco Gauff wins the French Open
Saturday 7 June 2025 17:15 , Lawrence OstlereThe big difference between the two players? Aryna Sabalenka made 73 unforced errors. Coco Gauff only made 30.
Coco Gauff wins the French Open
Saturday 7 June 2025 17:10It’s taken two years, but Coco Gauff has her second grand slam title. On both occasions, she’s beaten Aryna Sabalenka, this time in an extraordinary match that went the distance. And the 21-year-old surely has so many more titles waiting ahead.
Game, set, match! Coco Gauff wins 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 17:07 , Lawrence OstlereSabalenka goes on the attack, launching undefendable returns to move ahead 15-30. But Gauff pulls out a big serve for 30-30 and then whips a forehand winner past Sabalenka at the net to set up championship point. Sabalenka’s response? She cracks a return on to the baseline with furious power to stay in the match, the steps forward to hit another cross-court winner and earn advantage. A huge break point... but this time Sabalenka’s huge forehand goes awry! Deuce. Sabalenka dumps a return into the net to offer up another championship point, and Sabalenka errs again. Coco Gauff wins the French Open!
She falls to her knees and the tears flow.
Coco Gauff* 6-7(5), 6-2, 5-4 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 17:01 , Lawrence OstlereAt 30-15, Sabalenka uses her power to push Gauff back and force an error, reminiscent of how she began this match. There have just been too many mistakes in between, as well as too much guile on the other side of the net.
Sabalenka holds and Gauff will serve for the title.
Coco Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 5-3 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:54 , Lawrence OstlereA solid hold by Gauff, and she’s only one game away from her first French Open title.
Coco Gauff* 6-7(5), 6-2, 4-3 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:52 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! Gauff responds perfectly with a break to love, rushing across the court before firing a backhand into the opposite corner to clinch it. What a mentality, to shrug off every setback in this match and keep coming.
Coco Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 3-3 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:47 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! Sabalenka needlessly fires a backhand into the net when leading 0-30, and then shoots long to level the game. But the Belarusian then earns a break point thanks partly to a net cord which throws Gauff off, and she takes advantage to break back!
Coco Gauff* 6-7(5), 6-2, 3-2 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:44 , Lawrence OstlereMagnificent by Gauff at 30-30, using the forehand slice to keep Sabalenka low and unable to use her power, before unleashing a backhand winner down the line. But Sabalenka fights back, taking the game to deuce and earning a crucial hold when Gauff returns just long.
Coco Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 3-1 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:37 , Lawrence OstlereAt 30-15 down, Sabalenka spanks a forehand return way long and she immediately changes her racket. Perhaps the brief pause breaks Gauff’s flow because she follows it with a double fault, but Sabalenka makes another error near the net, failing to get a backhand over the cord from close range, and Gauff holds.
Coco Gauff* 6-7(5), 6-2, 2-1 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:34 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! Sabalenka hits the hot dog, running back to the baseline and improvising brilliantly to snap the ball back over the net between her legs, but Gauff is waiting with a killer volley and it comes to naught. That’s 30-all, and Gauff wins the next two points to earn the first break of the decider. She looks so focused here.
Coco Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 1-1 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:28 , Lawrence OstlereGauff gets through her first service game of the decider unscathed. She looks calm, Sabalenka looks determined.
Coco Gauff* 6-7(5), 6-2, 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:25A really sharp start to the third set by the world No 1, who roars into the cloudy skies above after holding serve.
Second set! Coco Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:21 , Lawrence OstlereGauff serves it out, smashing a winner at the net to seal it, and this one is going to a decider!
Coco Gauff* 6-7(5), 5-2 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:19 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! This match is swinging back and forth wildly. This time Gauff breaks, and it’s sealed to love thanks mainly to a series of Sabalenka errors. The world No 1 is looking extremely frustrated out there.
Gauff will serve for the second set.
Coco Gauff 6-7(5), 4-2 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:17Break! At 30-all, Sabalenka rushes forwards to hit a routine backhand and dumps it into thr net. But she’s given a let-off when Gauff limply underhits a drop shot to reach deuce, and Sabalenka gets the break she needs to regain a foothold in the second set.
Coco Gauff* 6-7(5), 4-1 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:09Break! Well, well. Gauff has come out swinging in this second set and this is perhaps her best game yet, clinching the break of serve to love with a powerful backhand return winner.
Coco Gauff 6-7(5), 3-1 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:05 , Lawrence OstlereGauff is actually struggling on her first serve at times in this match, as if she’s handing Sabalenka the power to hit with. The Belarusian gets a foothold in the game with some powerful returns, but a couple of mistakes let it slip away, and Gauff holds.
Coco Gauff* 6-7(5), 2-1 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 16:02 , Lawrence OstlereSabalenka responds with a confident hold of her own, mixing her game up nicely with some effective drops and sharp volleys to go with the baseline brutality.
Coco Gauff 6-7(5), 2-0 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 15:58 , Lawrence OstlereA quick hold by the American.
Coco Gauff* 6-7(5), 1-0 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 15:56Break! I might need to pivot to writing ‘hold’ because they are something of a novelty in this match. Gauff comes flying out of the traps and she looks undeterred by that tie-break.
*denotes next server
First set! Coco Gauff 6-7(5) *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 15:47 , Lawrence OstlereGauff leads by a mini-break 4-2 at the change of ends, but bold back-to-back winners by Sabalenka draws them level at 5-5. What follows is one of the points of the final so far, sending each other to far-flung corners of Philippe-Chatrier and back again, before Sabalenka closes it out. That’s set point, and she rushes to the net to seal the deal, 7-5!
An enthralling, see-saw 77-minute first set goes to the world No 1, and Gauff is going to have to win this the hard way.
Coco Gauff* 6-6 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 15:37 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! Oh my, oh my. Gauff earns two break points and loses the first, but what a stunning winner to clinch the second, anticipating Sabalenka’s smash, getting there and playing a high backhand winner down the line, on the run. Magnificent.
We go to a tie-break.
Coco Gauff 5-6 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 15:33 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! Brilliant by Sabalenka, who clinches yet another break with a flurry of powerful groundstrokes followed by a clever drop shot and a volleyed winner.
She serves for the set once more.
Coco Gauff* 5-5 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 15:26 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! An epic 10-minute game full of both skill and errors goes Gauff’s way. Sabalenka double faults at 30-15 and she’s furious with herself, or perhaps with the wind causing havoc to her ball toss, and another double on set point brings up deuce. Gauff earns a handful of advantage-break points and finally takes one to stay in the set.
Coco Gauff 4-5 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 15:12 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! At 30-all Gauff tries a deep slice which drops just beyond the baseline to give up a break point, and another miss long concedes the game, undoing some of her excellent work getting back into the match.
Sabalenka will serve for the first set.
Coco Gauff* 4-4 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 15:07 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! Sabalenka just cannot keep the ball in the court, and when you hit the ball as hard as she does, the radar only has to be out by just a touch. She makes three errors to give up three break points, before finally winning a point when Gauff fires wide. Sabalenka steps into mid-court and crushes a forehand winner to save another break point, then repeats the trick to bring up deuce – is her slump over? Perhaps not, as Gauff wins a ding-dong battle to secure another break of serve. What a wild set!
Coco Gauff 3-4 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:58 , Lawrence OstlereGauff whips a delicious lob over the advancing Sabalenka and the crowd sense some momentum building here. At the other end of the court, the world No 1 is huffing and puffing and looking flustered. It’s hold to love, and I think Gauff has won all of the last eight points, ever since that stunning drop shot.
Coco Gauff* 2-4 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:56 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! Is this a turning point? At 40-15 down, Gauff plucks a beautiful drop shot from the top shelf, one that Sabalenka races to but can’t return. It’s a moment of brilliance and the crowd roar. Sabalenka double faults, twice, as the wind swirls around Philippe Chatrier, to bring up deuce, and Gauff presses on to clinch the break. Impressive stuff in what has been a tough first set for the American.
Coco Gauff 1-4 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:49 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! Sabalenka is just relentless right now, thrashing balls from the baseline with a ferocity that Gauff can’t contain, let alone match. At 0-30, Gauff spoons Sabalenka’s deep return way off the court to give up three more break points. Gauff finds a couple of first serves to save the first two before rushing to the net to volley away the third.
They to and fro at deuce before Sabalenka prevails with a forehand winner which is absolutely murdered down the line – brutal hitting. That ball might be rendered unusable.
Coco Gauff* 1-3 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:43 , Lawrence OstlereGauff crushes a forehand with added power to reach 30-30 and give herself a sniff at a break back, but Sabalenka responds with a stunning ace out wide and then wraps up the game.
Coco Gauff 1-2 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:38 , Lawrence OstlereBreak! Sabalenka goes after Gauff’s serve with ruthless power from the baseline, attacking the corners of the court, and Gauff can’t keep up. The Belarusian brings up three break points and takes the first, sending the American one side and then the other before finishing her off.
Coco Gauff* 1-1 Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:36 , Lawrence OstlereSabalenka dishes out a second-serve ace from the off to demonstrate the kind of power Gauff is going to have to tame to win this final. It’s a confident hold.
Coco Gauff 1-0 *Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:32 , Lawrence OstlereAt 15-30, Gauff pulls a big first serve out of the bag to avoid giving up early break points. A couple of poor forehands dumped into the net by Sabalenka help Gauff clinch a crucial first hold.
*denotes next server
Coco Gauff v Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:28 , Lawrence OstlereHere we go then: the 2025 women’s French Open final. It’s Coco Gauff to serve first.
Coco Gauff v Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:27 , Lawrence OstlereGauff’s grand slam final record is two played, one won (2023 US Open v Sabalenka), one lost (2022 French Open v Swiatek).
Sabalenka has played four slam finals, winning three (2023 and 2024 Australian Opens, and the 2024 US Open) and losing that one final to Gauff at Flushing Meadows.
The players arrive
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:22 , Lawrence OstlereGauff has the big white headphones clapped to her ears as she waits to emerge, staring forwards with focus. She has a quick check of her phone – maybe to select the perfect walk-on music – before striding out on to the court.
Sabalenka has giant headphones on too but she appears less intense, more relaxed, waving to the crowd as she reaches her seat.
Coco Gauff v Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:15 , Lawrence OstlerePhilippe Chatrier is already full to the brim as fans take their seats ahead of this mouth-watering contest. There’s some on-court pomp to clear away, including a live band, and soon the players will arrive.
Pre-final ceremony complete
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:11 , Jamie BraidwoodThe roof is open on Court Philippe-Chatrier despite overcast skies and the forecast of rain in the early evening. It’s another blustery day in Paris as the court is swept following the pre-final ceremony.
Four-time French Open champion Justine Henin will present the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen later, 20 years after the Belgian won her last title at Roland Garros.
World No 1 faces World No 2 for French Open titles
Saturday 7 June 2025 14:05 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is the first time since 2013 that the World No 1 and World No 2 have met in a Roland Garros final, when Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and the first time at any grand slam since 2018.
There will also be a meeting of World No 1 and World No 2 tomorrow in the men’s final, when Jannik Sinner plays Carlos Alcaraz.
It’s the first time both World No 1 and World No 2 have met in the men’s and women’s finals at a grand slam since the 2013 US Open, when Novak Djokovic played Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams faced Victoria Azarenka.
What's at stake in French Open final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 13:55 , Jamie BraidwoodWith a win today. Aryna Sabalenka can:
- Win a fourth grand slam title, and first outside of the hard-court slams
- Became the only active player to win a singles title at three of the four grand slams
- Set up a bid for the career grand slam at next month’s Wimbledon
- Move one grand slam behind Iga Swiatek’s five, the most among active players
With a win today, Coco Gauff can:
- Win a second grand slam title, and first on clay
- Become the first American player to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015
- Become the youngest American to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2002
Coco Gauff on Aryna Sabalenka's three biggest strenghts
Saturday 7 June 2025 13:45 , Jamie Braidwood“I think obviously her ball striking, she can come up with some big shots and big winners pretty much at all areas of the court, so I think her ball striking and also her mentality, she's a fighter as well.
“She's going to stay in the match regardless of the scoreline. Her ball striking, serving, and mentality, and obviously there's a lot of other things, but those are the main three I would say.”
Coco Gauff takes fresh perspective into second French Open final
Saturday 7 June 2025 13:30 , Jamie BraidwoodAs Coco Gauff prepared for her first French Open final, at the age of 18, the American was overcome with nerves and had already written off her chances when she walked out onto Court Philippe-Chatrier. It was no surprise, then, that Gauff was beaten 6-1 6-3 by Iga Swiatek in a one-sided final three years ago.
The morning after, Gauff stepped out onto the Paris streets and reflected on the pressure she had put on herself. “At first I thought it would be the end of the world if I lost,” Gauff said, “and the sun still rose the next day.”
Three years later, Gauff, now the world No 2, will return for her second French Open final against world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The 21-year-old does so as a grand slam champion, having beaten Sabalenka to win the 2023 US Open.
Sabalenka will be the favourite but Gauff has been here before and can take confidence from the experience. “Regardless of the result,” she said, “the sun will still rise.”
Aryna Sabalenka highlights improvements to clay-court game
Saturday 7 June 2025 13:15 , Jamie BraidwoodIn the semi-finals, Aryna Sabalenka completely outplayed four-time champion Iga Swiatek in the biggest demonstration yet of the improvements she has made to her game on the natural surfaces. While the key to her victory may have still been her aggressive returns, Sabalenka has added variety to her attacking game. “[My] whole life I’ve been told it is not my thing and then I didn’t have any confidence,” Sabalenka said. “We’ve been able to develop my game so much.”
But for all that Sabalenka has improved physically, while adding spin and slice to her range of shots, her final against Coco Gauff may come down to a pure battle between attack and defence, between first-time ball-striking and counter-punching.
“I know that the job is not done yet,” said Sabalenka, who spoke as if she and Gauff were preparing for 12 rounds. “I’m ready to go out and I’m ready to fight, and I’m ready to do everything it’s going to take to get the win.”
French Open final: Attack vs Defence as Gauff plays Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 13:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAgainst the power of Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff will be the one who is doing the chasing, but the American is also the best mover in the game and it was her resilient defence that turned the tide in their 2023 US Open final. Having to play so many extra balls to finish the points, Sabalenka started to give away many errors and unravelled from a set up.
Sabalenka is now a different player, however, with Gauff highlighting the 27-year-old’s mentality as one of her three biggest strengths, along with her huge ball-striking and serve. Sabalenka’s mental transformation led to two Australian Open titles and the US Open in 2024 and was evident again in her semi-final win over Iga Swiatek.
Once erratic and prone to outbursts, Sabalenka controlled her temperament after Swiatek levelled the match and was clearly superior as she ran away with a dominant final set.
Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka head-to-head
Saturday 7 June 2025 12:45 , Jamie BraidwoodGauff won her first grand slam final when she defeated Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open final, but they have met four times since then - including on clay in last month’s Madrid Open final. The overall head-to-head is 5-5.
2025: Madrid Open, clay - Sabalenka won in two sets
2024: WTA Finals, hard - Gauff won in two sets
2024: Wuhan, hard - Sabalenka won in two sets
2024: Australian Open, hard - Sabalenka won in two sets
2023: US Open, hard - Gauff won in three sets
2023: Indian Wells, hard - Sabalenka won in two sets
2022: Toronto, hard - Gauff won in three sets
2021: Rome, clay - Gauff won in two sets
2020: Ostrava, hard - Sabalenka won in three sets
2020: Lexington, hard - Gauff won in three sets
The hidden strength that makes Coco Gauff such a danger to Aryna Sabalenka in French Open final
Saturday 7 June 2025 12:30 , Jamie BraidwoodCoco Gauff ended the run of French wildcard Lois Boisson, silencing the crowd and shutting out the noise on Court Philippe-Chatrier to win 6-1 6-2 and reach her second French Open final.
“My first final here I was super nervous, and I kind of wrote myself off before the match even happened,” Gauff said. “Obviously here I have a lot more confidence just from playing a grand slam final before and doing well in one. I think going into Saturday I'll just give it my best shot and try to be as calm and relaxed as possible. Whatever happens, happens, and knowing that I put the best effort forward.”
The hidden strength that makes Coco Gauff such a danger to Aryna Sabalenka
The ‘shocking’ truth behind Aryna Sabalenka’s French Open destruction of Iga Swiatek
Saturday 7 June 2025 12:15 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka halted three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek’s 26-match winning run, running away with the final set to win 7-6 4-6 6-0 and reach her first French Open final. “It was a big match, and it felt like a final,” Sabalenka said.
“But I know that the job is not done yet, and I have to go out there on Saturday. I have to fight and I have to bring my best tennis. I have to work for that title, especially if it's going to be Coco. I'm ready. I'm ready to go out, and I'm ready to fight. And I'm ready to do everything it's going to take to get the win.”
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The ‘shocking’ truth behind Aryna Sabalenka’s French Open destruction of Iga Swiatek
Preview: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
Saturday 7 June 2025 12:05 , Jamie BraidwoodWorld No 1 Aryna Sabalenka faces World No 2 Coco Gauff in the French Open final, with a new women’s singles champion set to be crowned at Roland Garros.
Sabalenka ended three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek’s winning run with a dominant final-set in the semi-finals to progress to her first French Open final.
Gauff defeated French wildcard Lois Boisson 6-1 6-2 to reach her second final at Roland Garros, having lost to Swiatek in the 2022 final in Paris.
Gauff won her first grand slam title when she defeated Sabalenka in the US Open final in 2023, while Sabalenka will be aiming to her her first grand slam title outside of the hard-courts
Coco Gauff v Aryna Sabalenka start time: When is French Open final?
French Open order of play - Saturday 7 June
Saturday 7 June 2025 12:01 , Jamie BraidwoodCourt Philippe-Chatrier
From 2pm BST
Women’s singles final
[1] Aryna Sabalenka vs Coco Gauff [2}
Followed by
Men’s doubles final
Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski vs Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos
Court Simonne-Mathieu
From 11am BST
Girls’ singles final
Hannah Klugman vs Lili Tagger
Court 14
Men’s wheelchair singles final
[1] Tokita Oda vs Alfie Hewett [2]
Court TBA
Men’s wheelchair doubles final
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid vs Stephane Houdet and Tokito Oda
Hello and welcome
Saturday 7 June 2025 12:00 , Jamie BraidwoodWorld No 1 Aryna Sabalenka faces World No 2 Coco Gauff in the French Open final, with a new women’s singles champion set to be crowned at Roland Garros.
Sabalenka ended three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek’s winning run with a dominant final-set in the semi-finals to progress to her first French Open final. Gauff defeated French wildcard Lois Boisson 6-1 6-2 to reach her second final at Roland Garros, having lost to Swiatek in the 2022 final in Paris.
The 21-year-old will be taking a different mentality into her second French Open final, explaining: “I have a lot more confidence just from playing a grand slam final before and doing well in one. I think going into Saturday I'll just give it my best shot and try to be as calm and relaxed as possible.”
On Sunday, there will also be a clash between World No 1 and World No 2 in the men’s final as Jannik Sinner takes on Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster title match. The young rivals will be playing in their first grand slam final, and it is unlikely to be the last time they meet for one of the sport’s biggest trophies.
