In a gripping semifinal clash at the 2025 French Open, American tennis star Coco Gauff ended the remarkable run of French wildcard Chloé Paquet, defeating her in straight sets to secure a place in the Roland Garros final. With a powerful performance on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Gauff sealed the victory 6-3, 6-2 and will now face Aryna Sabalenka in what promises to be a blockbuster finale. Gauff, only 21 years old, showcased poise and precision beyond her years, handling the pressure of a partisan French crowd with maturity. The local favorite, Chloé Paquet, had become the talk of the tournament after upsetting two seeded players en route to the semifinals, making her the first Frenchwoman since Mary Pierce to reach the Roland Garros final four as a wildcard. Her dream run, however, met an abrupt halt as Gauff’s aggressive baseline play and athleticism proved too much.
The American broke Paquet early in both sets and maintained control with an 81% first-serve win rate. Gauff’s court coverage and powerful backhand repeatedly forced errors from the Frenchwoman, who struggled to maintain the consistency that had carried her through earlier rounds. Though Paquet showed flashes of brilliance, Gauff never allowed momentum to shift, capitalizing on key break points and staying composed under pressure.
This victory marks Gauff’s second appearance in a Roland Garros final, her first being in 2022, where she fell short against Iga Świątek. Three years later, she returns not only stronger but also more mentally equipped to chase her maiden French Open title. Her rise has been one of the most watched trajectories in women’s tennis, beginning at just 15 when she stunned Venus Williams at Wimbledon, and now maturing into a consistent Grand Slam contender. Facing Aryna Sabalenka in the final sets up an electric rematch. The two have a well-documented rivalry, most recently meeting in the 2024 US Open final, where Gauff claimed her first Grand Slam title. Sabalenka, known for her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play, cruised through her semifinal against Elena Rybakina and looks poised to challenge Gauff in a high-octane showdown.
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Both players bring immense momentum and contrasting styles to the final. While Sabalenka relies on relentless power, Gauff excels at turning defense into offense and wearing down opponents with consistency and speed. Tennis fans around the world are eagerly anticipating a match that could become one of the defining rivalries of this generation. Off the court, Gauff continues to shine as a global ambassador for the sport. With her thoughtful interviews, social advocacy, and growing fan base, she represents a new era of tennis—one that blends talent with purpose. Her run to the final at Roland Garros further solidifies her place as a leading figure in women’s tennis and a potential multi-time Grand Slam champion in the making. As she prepares to face Sabalenka under the bright Parisian spotlight, the tennis world holds its breath. Will Gauff claim her first French Open crown, or will Sabalenka avenge past defeats and lift her second Grand Slam trophy? One thing is certain: this final is set to be a thrilling conclusion to a dramatic tournament.
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