French Open 2025: Why Aryna Sabalenka has the upper hand over Coco Gauff ahead of her first Roland-Garros final

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TNT Sports expert Coco Vandeweghe believes that Aryna Sabalenka could have an advantage over Coco Gauff as the top two seeds in the women's draw booked their places in the French Open final. Sabalenka beat Iga Swiatek, the defending champion, in three sets earlier on Thursday, before Gauff got the better of a raucous Parisian crowd to defeat home favourite Lois Boisson in straight sets.

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TNT Sports expert Coco Vandeweghe has questioned whether Coco Gauff goes into the French Open final against Aryna Sabalenka as sharp as the world No. 1.

Gauff, who cruised past debutant Lois Boisson 6-1 6-2 in the second semi-final on Thursday, will face Sabalenka, who demolished reigning champion Iga Swiatek 7-6(1) 4-6 6-0 earlier in the day.

Gauff, the second seed, dealt with the partisan Parisian crowd on her back that she claimed were "99%" against her, with Boisson bolstered by two stunning upset victories over top-10 opponents in the last 16 and quarter-finals, against Jessica Pegula, Gauff’s compatriot, and Mirra Andreeva respectively.

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However, coming up against the world No. 2 in the last four proved a step too far for the 22-year-old world No. 361.

Gauff has dropped just one set en route to Saturday’s showpiece, and that has caused Vandeweghe to question her readiness to face Sabalenka in such a hot streak of form.

Highlights: Gauff breezes past Boisson to set up final against Sabalenka

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"Gauff managed the heavy topspin of Boisson and kept to her backhand," Vandeweghe explained.

"We didn’t see many forehands from Gauff consistently, maybe in one or two shots, but not any more than three. That’s where Coco was able to get control of this match.

"For Gauff, this is where the match really starts to turn. Coco isn’t as tested as Aryna is. She had a tough match against Madison Keys, but where was the test in the semi-final?

"That’s where you usually see the best of the best, and that’s where the Cinderella story upsets that a little bit. I am wondering where Gauff will be mentally as far as being tested and matched up."

Vandeweghe was impressed with Gauff’s ability to stun the raucous home crowd into silence almost straight away with her early breach of the Boisson serve.

Gauff was 'mentally prepared' for crowd to be against her after Boisson battle

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"They were louder during the pre-match, and they were hushed instantaneously," Vandeweghe said of the support.

"It was a complete credit to Gauff. She did what she had to do - get the early break. That’s so important to be able to hush a rowdy crowd, because you could feel the buzz and the electricity, but by the time they were down a set and a break, then it was like ‘what are we supposed to do out here?’".

Fellow TNT Sports pundit Tim Henman lauded the 21-year-old’s consistency - that had been lacking in her victory over Keys - saying that her performance demonstrated why she was at the top of the women’s game.

Highlights: Sabalenka downs Swiatek in deciding set to reach first Roland-Garros final

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"The way that Coco went about her game plan - she was so solid, so consistent," Henman said.

"She was spreading the court. Attacking the backhand when she had the opportunity, and opening up to the forehand as well. Mentally, she blocked out the crowd. She never let up. The concentration was relentless. She delivered the perfect performance to get through to the final.

"It exemplifies why she is world No. 2 and has won Grand Slams. She’s gone out there and dealt with the situation in such an impressive fashion. Technically, physically, and mentally.

"She knew that she had to extend the rallies, keep off the Boisson forehand, and look to keep the unforced-errors count down in those heavy conditions. She really did that so well."

So now, on Saturday, Roland-Garros will have a new women’s champion as Sabalenka and Gauff go head-to-head for the 11th time in their careers.

The head-to-head is evenly split at five victories each, and both have one win each over the other on clay.

Sabalenka could have the upper hand after her convincing win over the American in the final of the Madrid Masters, but Gauff has beaten Sabalenka in a Grand Slam final before, in the 2023 US Open.

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