Coco Gauff will compete for the French Open crown against world number one Iga Swiatek, who advanced to her first Grand Slam final with a straight-sets win over Martina Trevisan on Thursday.
In a tense contest that saw both players compete in a major semi-final for the first time, the 18-year-old American won 6-3, 6-1. Since Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon in 2004, Gauff has been the youngest Grand Slam, finalist.
“I suppose I’m in shock right now,” Gauff remarked. After the contest, I was at a loss for words. “I don’t know what to say.”
In a terrible first set, the competitors combined for 37 unforced mistakes before Gauff improved her game in the second.
In Saturday’s showpiece match, the 18th seed will be a huge underdog against Swiatek, who is on a 34-match winning run.
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She will, however, have nothing to lose as she attempts to become the first woman to win a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova upset Serena Williams in London 18 years ago.
“I’m simply going to treat it like a regular match,” Gauff continued.
“It’s a Grand Slam final, but there are so many other things going on in the world right now, particularly in the United States, that I don’t think it’s worth getting worked up about.”
Trevisan’s outstanding tournament and 10-match undefeated streak ended with a whimper as she served four double faults and produced 36 unforced mistakes.
Gauff got off to a quick start, breaking in the third game for an early lead.
She grew agitated after failing to convince the umpire to reverse a contentious line decision as mistakes flew from both players’ racquets.
Gauff, on the other hand, kept her cool and won the set in three games.
Trevisan’s serve was broken four times in a row, and she only won three points in each of those games.
Gauff underwent a medical stoppage before the second set to have her leg strapped, but after winning a 14-minute game with a backhand winner for a 3-1 lead, she gained complete control of the match.
She went on to earn a final spot spectacularly, breaking again before a love hold.
