Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are familiar foes, especially when it comes to the latter stages of tournaments.
The pair meet for the third time with a trophy on the line in Saturday’s French Open final, with a seven-figure prize on the line.
In May’s Madrid Open, with Sabalenka reigned victorious with a 6-3, 7-6 win.
But the 2023 US Open was the American’s time to shine.
Gauff was just 19 when she took on Sabalenka, who had already won a major that year at the Australian Open, and many expected her to claim her second.
When the first set went to Sabalenka 6-2, many would have been forgiven for thinking the match was already a foregone conclusion.
However, what followed was one of the most thrilling comebacks in a major final as Gauff rallied to win the next two sets 6-3, 6-2 as Sabalenka uncharacteristically collapsed and lost all composure in her tennis.
The result left both players emotional, with Sabalenka unwilling to hide hers as she stormed to her bench and began to uncontrollably cry.
When asked in her post-match interview what she’s most proud of from this year, she fought back tears again as she said: “I don’t know.”
That match still haunts the 26-year-old to this day, who admitted that while she has learnt lessons, she still gets flashbacks from it.
“That was very difficult match, I got a little emotional and had this little flashback on last year’s final, meaning the crowd atmosphere,” said after the 2024 US Open final.
For Gauff, the 21-year-old admitted that she was surprised she cried, as it’s something that she and her Dad never do.
Sabalenka suffered heartbreak in the US Open final in 2023Getty Coco Gauff is already a Grand Slam champion at the age of 21Getty Gauff also admitted she was left in tearsGetty“I do never cry but the US Open happened. I wasn’t expecting that, okay? Y’all say what you want, I was not expecting that,” she said on Instagram at the time.
“I don’t think I was crying, to be honest, I think that girl in the video was crying because I don’t like to cry. Not in front of people, I’ll cry alone, I’ll cry over a movie or a TV show but in front of people, no.
“Because I’m supposed to be a thug. Just kidding. I’m like my dad though, for real. Today was the first time I’ve ever seen my dad cry. He doesn’t want me to tell y’all that but he got caught in 4K. He thinks he’s so hard but he’s not.”
Since that US Open final, the pair have met four times – three semifinals and one final – with Sabalenka winning the most recent clash at the Madrid Open
Their overall record is now tied at 5-5, and after their last contest, the pair hailed each other for an incredible tournament.
“First I want to congratulate Coco and her team on an incredible few weeks here,” Sabalenka said.
“I’m super happy to see you back in the finals, playing your best tennis.
Gauff shared positive sentiment towards her opponent as well.
“I’d like to congratulate Aryna on an incredible tournament. You’re always tough to face. Congrats to your team.
“Congrats on all the success you’ve been having.”
Gauff came into the final as the No.4-ranked player in the world.
With the victory, Sabalenka has her 46th-ranked win over a top-10 opponent, with six consecutive triumphs and 12 consecutive sets.
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