Tennis fans will have a match to savor when it comes to the French Open women’s final, world #1 and Polish superstar Iga Swiatek is gunning for her second career French Open title, while American teenager Coco Gauff has put together a great campaign in Paris to reach her first ever Grand Slam final. Gauff is the underdog but will have every chance against the more experienced Swiatek. Our panelists take a look at the final after two weeks of great tennis action at Roland Garros.
Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff
Jim Smith: It has been a great tournament for Coco Gauff and her first Major title surely isn’t too far away. But Iga Swiatek is almost playing on a different plane right now. She hasn’t lost a match since February and to say she’s dominating the women’s game right now doesn’t even begin to do her justice. This will probably be a closer contest than her semifinal against Daria Kasatkina, though Gauff will have to cope with the pressure of the occasion, but there will surely only be one outcome. Swiatek in 2
Yesh Ginsburg: Iga Swiatek met her fiercest competition in the semifinals, and she blasted her way through, losing only three games. I freely admit that I often underestimate Coco Gauff, but I just cannot imagine she has anything to trouble the Pole here. Swiatek in 2
Jakub Bobro: After a somewhat disappointing semifinals day in terms of drama or jeopardy in who might go through, the dominant performances of Swiatek and Gauff will culminate in what I think will be the most exciting women’s Roland Garros final since 2017. The Pole’s dominance this season has been unmatched and she has continued that at Roland Garros, dropping more than three games in only two of the 13 sets she has played on this campaign. Gauff, still just 18 years old and the youngest women’s Roland Garros finalist since Kim Clijsters in 2001, did not drop a single set. Swiatek has won both of their previous matches, with their 2021 Rome meeting on clay closer than their match earlier this year in Miami. That combined with her previous experience of winning a slam makes Swiatek the favorite for me. Swiatek in 2
Damian Kust: Iga Swiatek has seemed more nervous in this event than in all the previous ones she won, but has it really shown in her results? Perhaps only in the second set against Danka Kovinic, and to some extent against Qinwen Zheng, but there she quickly regained control, especially as the opponent got injured. The opportunity in front of her might be a little bit of a distraction, but so it will be for Cori Gauff. The American is also breaking new ground and while she’s been incredibly solid, not dropping a single set, I stand by my claim from before the tournament. The only person capable of defeating Swiatek in this event is herself. In a clash against an opponent who’ll be just as nervous (maybe even moreso), the Pole remains a big favorite. She’ll put more pressure on Gauff’s forehand side than all the American’s six previous opponents combined. Swiatek in 2
Steen Kirby: The red hot world #1 Swiatek won the 2020 French Open and only Qinwen Zheng took a set off her in the last two weeks of tennis in Paris, she hasn’t lost a match in four months. Gauff has been just as impressive in Paris though, not dropping a set and playing like a mature veteran on clay in her first Grand Slam final. It’s remarkable that Gauff is still just a teenager. Swiatek won both of their past meetings, a win at Miami earlier this season, and last year on the clay in Rome in straight sets both times. Swiatek is the favorite, something tells me Gauff is going to give it her all and pressure the Pole though, taking this match the distance. Swiatek in 3
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