Dreamy tale of French tennis unfolds in Paris
2023 French Open Women's Final: A Showdown Between Gauff and Sabalenka
In an action-packed match-up, World No. 2 Coco Gauff will duke it out with World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open women's final. Here's what you need to know about their road to the summit and the challenges they overcame.
Gauff, a 21-year-old American, advanced to the final after a dominating 6:1, 6:2 semifinal win against 22-year-old Frenchwoman Lois Boisson. The youngster was effortlessly imposing her game, closing out the encounter in a mere 69 minutes.
Boisson, ranked 361st in the world, had ignited some Cinderella magic at the French Open, becoming the first Frenchwoman in 14 years to reach the semifinals. Along her impressive journey, she toppled World No. 3 Jessica Pegula and Russian Mirra Andrejewa. However, against Gauff, the intensity of the weeks' play began to show as she struggled to match the American's powerful play from earlier rounds.
Boisson, despite the loss, received a heartwarming send-off from the audience after the match. Gauff showered her with appreciation, admitting the Frenchwoman's tales of victory had encouraged her during the contest.
On the other side of the bracket, Sabalenka earned her spot after a grueling semifinal match against defending champion Iga Swiatek. The 27-year-old Belarusian, in her first final appearance at Stade Roland Garros, trumped Swiatek 7:6 (7:1), 4:6, 6:0, thereby ending Swiatek's unbeaten streak of 26 consecutive matches.
Swartek, who had seized the title for the past three years, found herself locking horns with a tenacious Sabalenka for nearly two hours. Sabalenka started strong but Swiatek fought back, before Sabalenka wrestled the first set in a tiebreak. In an exhilarating turn of events, Swiatek leveled the score in the second set. But in the third, Sabalenka pulled off a stunning comeback and played a flawless set to secure the victory.
"It feels amazing," Sabalenka stated after the match. "But I still have one more match to win," she added, referring to the upcoming head-to-head showdown with Gauff. Indeed, it promises to be an electrifying contest as two titans collide in the quest for glory at the French Open.
Bonus Insights:
- Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka have faced each other on multiple occasions, with the head-to-head record alternating between the two. As of 2025, they are tied 6-6, but the 2023 French Open result remains unavailable.
- Sabalenka boasts three Grand Slam titles under her belt, while Coco Gauff claimed her maiden Grand Slam triumph at the 2025 French Open by defeating Sabalenka.
In the highly anticipated encounter, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, both tennis champions, will contest the French Open women's final, aiming to showcase their skills on the tennis court. Notably, Gauff secured her spot in the final with a convincing victory in tennis, while Sabalenka earned hers after a thrilling match against Iga Swiatek, showcasing her tenacity and sportsmanship.
