Coco Gauff Coherent takes sunny perspectives in the Open of France with Sabalenka | Coco Gauff

COco Gauff was only 18 years old when she first sailed to a Grand Chelem final. After her breakthrough in previous years, as well as the intense media threw and the examination which accompanied her as she was trying to build her career, the Gauff race in the final of the French Open in 2022 proved to herself and the world that she was ready to meet these expectations.

Although she did not win the title, her experience in Roland Garros was then an essential lesson that guided her in recent years. In the accumulation of this final against Iga Swiatek, she struggled badly with her nerves and her intense fear of failure. “At the beginning, I thought it would be the end of the world if I lost, and the sun was still getting up the next day,” said Gauff after beating Loïs drink in the semi-finals on Thursday. “So, knowing, whatever the result, the sun will always rise. Especially in a city like Paris, I was walking the next day, and no one knew I was losing [in 2022]And no one cared. Some people know who I am, but not much and not everyone. Just realizing that as large as the moment seems in our lives, [it] is not as big in the big scheme of things. »»

So now, Gauff will challenge his second final of the French Open to a completely different point from his career. This year has proven to be a significant learning curve in itself. During the first week of 2025, she produced some of her best performances in the United Cup and her level of Swiatek beat, in particular, remains among the best tennis of anyone this year. It seemed clear that she had positioned herself for a big season.

Instead, things have become difficult. After a quarter -final defeat at the Australian Open, Gauff struggled. In the month of February and March, from the Middle East to the United States, she did not reach a single quarter-final. She found her way on European red clay, bringing together a series of extremely coherent results, reaching the finals at the Madrid Open and the Italian Open before another stellar race in Paris took her to the final against Aryna Sabalenka.

This place Gauff tournament at an interesting intersection. She already appreciated her first breakthrough, winning her first major title in 2023 US Open, then supporting him by triumphing during the WTA final in Riyadh last year. At a time when two players – Sabalenka and Swiatek – moved away from the field by constantly accumulating the headlines on the biggest steps, the following question for Gauff is whether it is ready and capable of making another leap forward and competing constantly for each Grand Slam.

On Saturday, Gauff will have a chance to measure up against the best player in the world. Although the two have turned into well -balanced players, the American improving offensively and Sabalenka using a greater variety and greater restraint, it is fundamentally a battle between the best defense and the best attack on sport.

Their contrasting styles have made a tight and intense rivalry over the years. They have been playing for five years now, their first meeting when Gauff was only 16 years old. They are equal to 5-5 and half of their meetings were bruised in three sets. When Sabalenka is in full flow, hitting the ball with total confidence, his heavy weapons will generally be overwhelming. However, Gauff, who was 21 years old in March, can disturb anyone. The US Open final of 2023 was their only other meeting in a Grand Colem final and the American reduced the Court with her phenomenal defensive skills, ultimately causing Sabalenka to one of the most painful losses of her career.

Although Belarusian, 27, has increased only one place in the ranking since August 2023, from two to one, it seems to be completely different competition today. Not only is she a more complete player, but she won so much confidence and contentment in her daily work. She was only embarked by her performances this week, in particular her impressive victory in the semi-finals against the quadruple champion Swiatek. The sun rises again, whatever the way the match takes place, but the issues are raised. In these circumstances, a victory for Gauff would mean the most important realization of his career.