Super talent Coco Gauff challenges serial winner Iga Swiatek: The 18-year-old American followed the Pole, three years her senior, into the final of the French Open on Thursday.
Super talent challenges the serial winner: Coco Gauff, who is only 18 years old, takes on the high-flyer Iga Swiatek in the final of the French Open.
Gauff is the youngest finalist in a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova in Wimbledon in 2004 – and she wants more.
“I’m a bit shocked and can’t find a word for my feelings at the moment,” said the world number 23, who defeated the unseeded Italian Martin Trevisan 6: 3, 6: 1 in her semifinals in 1:28 hours.
The American acted with nerves of steel and impressed with her powerful game.
Coco Gauff with anti-war statement
Gauff first made headlines at Wimbledon in 2019 when she knocked out seven-time major winner Venus Williams at the age of 15.
Three years later, she starts the big coup in Paris – and appears focused, but not too dogged.
“It’s just a tennis match,” Gauff said, referring to “the many things that are going on in the world right now” and writing “peace” and “end gun violence” on the camera lens in her post-match victory message.
“I love playing here”
The clear favorite on Saturday (3:00 p.m. / Eurosport) is Swiatek, who secured her second place in the final with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Russian Daria Kasatkina in just 64 minutes.
“It’s a pretty special and emotional moment for me,” Swiatek said afterwards: “I love playing here and I’m grateful to be able to play in the final again.”
Before the match, she warmed up to the sounds of Led Zeppelin and then delivered again.
34th consecutive win for Iga Swiatek
Swiatek continued its impressive winning streak. The 2020 tournament winner has now won 34 matches in a row.
Only Venus Williams has had a one-match longer streak since the beginning of the 21st century, which ended in the 2000 tournament in Linz.
“I try to approach every match the same way, no matter how important it is,” said Swiatek: “I focus on my tasks.” Last year, the Czech Barbora Krejcikova won the French Open – her successor will be called Gauff or Swiatek.