On the one hand the youngest Grand Slam finalist in 18 years, on the other a player who has won 34 matches in a row: In the semi-finals of the French Open, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek succeed in making their special ones by entering the final to continue stories.
The only 18-year-old Coco Gauff 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 the words for my feelings at the moment," said the world number 23, who prevailed in her semifinals in 1:28 hours against the unseeded Italian Martin Trevisan 6: 3, 6: 1.
The American acted with nerves of steel and impressed with her powerful game. 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," said Gauff, referring to "the many things that are going on in the world right now".
The clear favorite on Saturday (3 p.m. / Eurosport and in the live ticker on ntv.de) is Swiatek, who made her second final with a 6: 2, 6: 1 win in just 64 minutes against the Russian Darja Kassatkina. "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. 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, regardless of the importance," 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.
