PARIS – After two weeks of play, tennis reached the “best women’s final” possible at Roland Garros, where on Saturday, world number one Iga Swiatek and 18-year-old American Coco Gauff meet title.
Swiatek, the 2020 French Open champion, is looking for the 35th consecutive victory, which would match the best race of this century, a Venus Williams record. More importantly, it would give him a second Grand Slam title and consolidate his status as the world’s undisputed number 1. Gauff, number 18 in the world, reaches his first Grand Slam final after a dream career in which he has not done. he dropped a set.
We will have live updates throughout:
The weather is changing …
The sky was suddenly cloudy at Roland Garros, with thunderstorms forecast for some time this afternoon. The spotlight is now on Court Philippe Chatrier as Gauff starts the second set breaking Swiatek. – Tom Hamilton
Iga takes the first set
With Swiatek taking the first set, 6-1, in just 32 minutes, this is Gauff’s first lost set of the tournament. To make matters worse for Gauff, Swiatek has a 35-4 record in his important career after winning the first set and is 18-0 at the French Open. – D’Arcy Maine
Swiatek so aggressive
It was a brutal set for Coco Gauff. Swiatek has been his second service. Gauff needs a quick start to the second set to give him the belief. – Simon Cambers
Polish royalty in the stands looking at Polish royalty
Footballer Robert Lewandowski is here in the stadium watching Swiatek. Both are the most prominent sports stars in Poland. Lewandowski has taken a break from national duty to support Swiatek after starting in a 2-1 win over Wales on Wednesday. – Tom Hamilton
A strong start is needed
How important is it to win the first set in a grand final? Good news for Swiatek, who have secured a first 3-0 lead, is almost a requirement for women.
According to research by ESPN Stats & Information, the winner of the first set has won 58 of the 65 major women’s finals and 18 of the 20 before the French Open. Simona Halep was the last champion in Paris to recover from the loss of the first set; gathered to get back on Sloane Stephens to win the trophy in 2018. – D’Arcy Maine
All about Coco’s second service
If Gauff can play clean on the serve, and by that I mean reduce the number of double fouls to a minimum, then he has a genuine chance. The problem is that Swiatek is looking to get its second service. Therefore, if Gauff wants to win, a high percentage of first serve is essential.
Not in vain, Gauff looks nervous. It could be done with some mistakes from the beginning of Swiatek to help her settle down. I’m not sure if he’ll get them, though. – Simon Cambers
Preparing the stage
Philippe Chatrier’s track is still filling as Swiatek and Gauff head out to a bright reception from the crowd. Today we have already received the visit of Rafa Nadal before his final tomorrow, and there is the royalty of tennis sitting in front of the president’s box with Billie Jean King in the main seats. – Tom Hamilton
Warming up
Lucky for the championship game 👀 # RolandGarros | @CocoGauff pic.twitter.com/YAuKiFd4Lv
– Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2022
🇵🇱 @iga_swiatek ready #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/at9zMCMgj1
– Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 4, 2022
Match preview
Why Iga Swiatek will win
🎙️ “I feel like I’m playing better every game” – @iga_swiatek recalls today an impressive victory in the semifinals: #RolandGarros
– Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2022
Swiatek is simply the best player on the planet right now. Since losing to Jelena Ostapenko in February, she has only lost two sets, one in Stuttgart and one in Paris, winning 34 games in a row and pocketing five titles along the way.
The champion in 2020 when she was 19, Swiatek is a much better player now. The removal of Ash Barty could have left her heartbroken, lacking a rival and motivation, as John McEnroe felt when Bjorn Borg resigned. Instead, he has grabbed the mantle of number 1 and seems to be actively embracing it.
“I’m using No. 1 to put pressure on my opponents,” he said earlier in the tournament.
His service is strong, his right is deadly, his backward solid, his belief unstoppable. Much has been done about the work she and her sports psychologist, Daria Abramowicz, have done off the track, keeping her balanced and putting everything in perspective, but Swiatek’s innate ability to find a solution on the court. when he has problems he is equally impressive.
Aggressive in her opponent’s second serve, where she has won 66% of the points, she will put pressure on Gauff, whose Achilles heel is her second sometimes fragile serve. She will attack, attack and then attack a little more. It’s hard to see her standing still. – Simon Cambers
Why Coco Gauff will win
🎙️ “Today I think I played the best I could”
No.18 @CocoGauff reaching her first Grand Slam final in #RolandGarros
– Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2022
From the start of the tournament there has been something about Coco Gauff, a new maturity on the court that is only matched by her remarkable maturity off of it.
The 18-year-old reached the quarter-finals here two years ago and began her visit to Paris this year celebrating her high school graduation. From the beginning, she seemed relaxed, determined and absolutely in her element.
Clay could still turn out to be his best surface. A brilliant movement on all surfaces, it has adapted to sliding and its track coverage has effortless efficiency.
It’s his first Grand Slam final, so there will be nerves, no doubt. But his game is in such a good place that it seems to belong to this level. This is likely to be the first of many Grand Slam finals, certainly not the only one.
Much will depend on the control you can get from the baseline. If Swiatek is able to serve well and get started, it can be difficult. But if Gauff lengthens the rallies and focuses on back-to-back exchanges, he can win.
There’s a Grand Slam title at stake, but the feeling is that Gauff will take it easy.
Swiatek “is on a streak right now, obviously,” Gauff said. “I don’t think I have anything to lose and she’s definitely the favorite to get into the game on paper. I’ll just play free and play my best tennis. I think anything can happen in a Grand Slam final.” – Simon Cambers
What will happen?
World No. 1 teen star 🆚
The final of #RolandGarros is ready 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rAoL87jiGM
– US Tennis Open (@usopen) June 2, 2022
On paper, Swiatek should win, but could be close, maybe three sets. If Gauff serves well, he has a great chance. If not, Swiatek is probably too strong right now. Sit back and enjoy! – Simon Cambers