On Saturday, a new women’s French Open champion will be decided as the top two seeds, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, face off on Court Philippe-Chatrier. This highly anticipated match marks a culmination of fierce competition, with both players aiming to capture one of the most prestigious titles in tennis.

Anticipating the Showdown Between the Top Seeds

Aryna Sabalenka enters the final as a player showing remarkable consistency, having reached her third Grand Slam final in a row — the 2024 US Open, this year’s Australian Open, and now Roland Garros. She is also appearing in her sixth title match of 2025, underscoring her strong form throughout the season. Despite a mixed record in finals this year, winning three and losing three, Sabalenka’s progress to her first French Open final is notable, mirroring Serena Williams’s accomplishment in 2016 of reaching three Grand Slam finals in a single season.

To get to this stage, the Belarusian No. 1 defeated Iga Swiatek, the three-time defending champion, handing Swiatek her first loss at Roland Garros in over four years. Now 27 years old and aiming for her fourth major title, Sabalenka trails just one Grand Slam win behind Swiatek. Her pursuit of the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen reflects her ambition to claim her first championship on clay, having previously found success primarily on hard courts.

Her opponent, Coco Gauff, is determined to rewrite the script from her 2022 French Open final, where she was overwhelmed by Swiatek. Now 21, Gauff returns to this major final equipped with more experience and confidence, carrying the momentum of becoming a Grand Slam champion. The American second seed has achieved five wins over Sabalenka and seeks her sixth to elevate her Grand Slam tally to two.

Gauff’s journey to the final has been dominant, dropping only one set in the tournament during a challenging quarter-final against Madison Keys. In the semi-final, she efficiently overcame French wildcard Lois Boisson with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory, showcasing her improved consistency by minimizing unforced errors and limiting her double faults to just two.

With a record of 26-5 in Paris, Gauff now aims to capture her first French Open crown and secure a third Grand Slam final victory, having won her only final appearance at the US Open so far. This match marks a thrilling return to the spotlight on Philippe-Chatrier, where Gauff hopes to erase the memory of her prior title match defeat and triumph over Sabalenka this time.

Road to the Final: Tournament Performances Compared

Aryna Sabalenka’s route:

She began her French Open campaign with a strong 6-1, 6-0 win over Kamilla Rakhimova, followed by successive straight-set victories against Jil Teichmann (6-3, 6-1) and Olga Danilovic (6-2, 6-3). In the round of 16, Sabalenka edged out Amanda Anisimova 7-5, 6-3 before defeating Qinwen Zheng 7-6(3), 6-3 in the quarter-final. Her intense semi-final clash with Swiatek, which she won 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0, secured her place in the championship match.

Coco Gauff’s path:

Gauff started with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 win against Olivia Gadecki, then continued with sturdy victories over Tereza Valentova (6-2, 6-4) and Marie Bouzkova (6-1, 7-6(3)). The American crushed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-0, 7-5 in the round of 16, overcame Madison Keys in a three-set quarter-final thriller, and wrapped up her semi-final with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 victory against Lois Boisson.

Analyzing Their Rivalry and Recent Encounters

Despite Sabalenka’s broader success on tour with 20 titles compared to Gauff’s nine, their head-to-head record stands evenly at 5-5, highlighting the competitive balance between these two world-class players. Their meetings on clay courts are split evenly (1-1), with Sabalenka winning the 2025 Madrid final and Gauff taking their earlier encounter in Rome a few years back.

The rivalry has featured tight contests, including matches at the Australian Open, WTA Finals, and US Open, evidencing that both athletes bring high intensity to their clashes. Notably, Sabalenka has struggled somewhat with maintaining consistency in finals, holding a 20-17 record in title matches and an even 3-3 in finals throughout 2025, with victories in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid but losses in Indian Wells, the Australian Open, and Stuttgart.

Gauff, meanwhile, boasts a 10-4 record in finals overall but has faced setbacks in recent appearances, suffering consecutive defeats in finals at Madrid and Rome after a streak of eight wins. This matchup presents an opportunity to swing momentum firmly in her favor on the grandest of stages.

Key Factors That Could Determine the Champion

Saturday’s match promises a thrilling contrast of styles and mental toughness. Sabalenka’s power game and current top form make her a formidable adversary, especially as she looks to claim her maiden Grand Slam title on clay. On the other hand, Gauff’s success relies heavily on her ability to control her forehand errors and avoid double faults, which have sometimes hindered her progress.

When Gauff executes her game plan effectively, blending athleticism with tactical skill, she can challenge any opponent. The question remains whether the American will present her best self on Philippe-Chatrier or be troubled by inconsistencies that could tip the scales. The mental battle between Gauff’s resilience and Sabalenka’s drive will likely be decisive in determining the outcome of this epic final.

This final is also significant as it marks the first women’s Grand Slam final featuring the world No. 1 and No. 2 since the 2018 Australian Open, and the first to be held in Paris between the top two seeds since Maria Sharapova faced Serena Williams in 2013. For both players, the match offers a chance not just at glory, but at solidifying their places among the elite in women’s tennis history.