French Open 2025 Women’s Final: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Coco Gauff

By Joey Tennis Balls · match preview

Written June 6, 2025, about the events of that week. For today's numbers see the live Elo & Glicko rankings or who is moving now.

The 2025 French Open women's singles final is set for Saturday, June 7th, at 3:00 PM local time in Paris (9:00 AM ET), between World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and World No. 2 Coco Gauff. The match marks the first time since 2013 that the top two ranked women will compete for the Roland Garros title. Both players are vying for their first French Open singles crown.

Recent Performances:

• Aryna Sabalenka: The 27-year-old Belarusian has been in strong form throughout 2025, becoming the first player to win 40 main-draw matches this year. She has already secured three titles and reached three other finals. Her path to the Roland Garros final included a significant victory over three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, ending Swiatek's 26-match winning streak at the tournament. Sabalenka won the third set against Swiatek 6-0. This is Sabalenka's first final at Roland Garros.
• Coco Gauff: The 21-year-old American has also had a strong clay-court season, reaching the finals in both the Madrid Open (losing to Sabalenka) and the Italian Open. She has dropped only one set en route to the French Open final and had a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over French wildcard Loïs Boisson in the semifinals. This will be Gauff's second French Open final, having been a runner-up in 2022. She is aiming to become the first American to win the title since Serena Williams in 2015.

Head-to-Head Statistics:

• The head-to-head record between Sabalenka and Gauff is currently tied at 5-5.
• Their most recent meeting was in the Madrid Open final last month, where Sabalenka won in straight sets. Sabalenka has won three of their last four encounters.
• However, their most significant previous meeting in a final was the 2023 US Open, where Gauff came from a set down to win her first Grand Slam title.
• On clay, Gauff won their meeting at the 2021 Italian Open. Sabalenka won their clay meeting in the 2025 Madrid Open final.

Playing Styles, Strengths, and Weaknesses:

• Coco Gauff:
  • Strengths: Gauff is known for her exceptional athleticism, speed, and powerful groundstrokes from both wings. Her serve is a significant weapon, and her all-court game allows her to adapt to different surfaces. She possesses strong mental toughness and has shown an ability to perform well under pressure. Her defense is outstanding, as demonstrated in her US Open final win against Sabalenka.
  • Weaknesses: Consistency can sometimes be an issue, leading to unforced errors. While her baseline game is strong, her net play is an area for potential improvement. Her forehand has been cited as a weaker shot, sometimes prone to errors due to a longer preparation. Her second serve can also be vulnerable at times.
• Aryna Sabalenka:
  • Strengths: Sabalenka's game is built on raw power and aggression. She possesses explosive groundstrokes, particularly her forehand, and a powerful serve. Though best known for her hard-court results, she has proven her capabilities on clay and grass as well. Her net play is also a strength.
  • Weaknesses: Her aggressive style can lead to a high number of unforced errors. Maintaining consistency throughout a match can sometimes be a challenge. While her offense is a major strength, her defensive play can be a relative weakness. Her second serve has been vulnerable in the past, though she has worked to improve it. Emotional control during high-pressure moments has also been a factor.

Outlook:

This final is between two of the world's best players, with contrasting styles. Sabalenka's raw power will test Gauff's defensive capabilities and court coverage. Gauff's ability to absorb pace, extend rallies, and counter-punch will be crucial.

Given Sabalenka's current form, her impressive win over Swiatek, and her recent victory over Gauff in Madrid, she might enter the match as a slight favorite. However, Gauff's experience in a previous Roland Garros final and her proven ability to defeat Sabalenka in a Grand Slam final (US Open 2023) cannot be discounted.

The outcome could hinge on several factors:

Sabalenka's unforced error count: If she can control her aggression and keep her errors low, her power could be overwhelming.

Gauff's serve, particularly the second serve, and forehand consistency: Minimizing double faults and handling Sabalenka's pace on her forehand wing will be key for Gauff.

Mental fortitude: Both players have shown mental strength, but handling the pressure of a Grand Slam final will matter.

Many analysts expect a close match, potentially going to three sets.

Betting Odds:

• Aryna Sabalenka is generally favored by bookmakers. Odds for Sabalenka to win range from -190 to -225.
• Coco Gauff is the underdog, with odds around +150 to +172.
• The odds for the match to go over 21.5 or 22 total games are also being offered, suggesting an expectation of a competitive encounter.
• These odds reflect Sabalenka's strong recent form and her status as World No. 1, but also acknowledge Gauff's talent and past success against Sabalenka.

Potential Impact on WTA #1 Ranking:

• Aryna Sabalenka currently holds the World No. 1 ranking.
• Coco Gauff is ranked World No. 2.
• Aryna Sabalenka has already built a significant lead in the rankings this year. While a win for Gauff would earn her 2000 ranking points and narrow the gap, Sabalenka is projected to maintain her No. 1 position even if she loses the final. However, a victory for Gauff would significantly strengthen her position in the Race to the WTA Finals and put her in a strong contention for the year-end No. 1 ranking depending on subsequent results in the season.