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Coco Gauff has now become a two-time French Open finalist. On Thursday (June 5), Gauff moved past home favorite Lois Boisson 6-1, 6-2 to schedule a final clash with World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.
The Frenchwoman scripted history after knocking out two-time WTA 1000 champion Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals. She became the youngest French player to progress to the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament since Amelie Mauresmo (1999 Wimbledon).
She had also become the third player to progress to the last four in her first main draw appearance in a Grand Slam since 1980. Now that her run ended, Gauff analyzed her matches and gave her advice.
Her position is particularly difficult because I believe that in France, there haven’t been many players who have achieved these results in recent years, so I think the whole country will be watching her closely. My biggest advice is for her to stay true to herself and keep her people around, to listen to what they expect from her, not what the media or external analysts expect.
Coco Gauff said at the press conference
Gauff now took a 1-0 lead in the head-to-head matchup with the 22-year-old. Before losing to Gauff, Boisson, knocked out three seeded players, including two top 10 players- World No.6 Andreeva and last year’s US Open finalist Jessica Pegula (World No.3) in the quarterfinals.
Coco Gauff reveals the difference between her first and second French Open finals
Coco Gauff reached her first French Open final back in 2022 but she was no match for Iga Swiatek, who clinched the win without breaking a sweat. It was her first final in a Grand Slam and Gauff, in the press conference after her win over Lois Boisson, blamed nerves for her performance against the Pole.
In my first final here, I was very nervous and I gave up before the match even began. Now I have much more confidence from having played a Grand Slam final before and having done well. On Saturday, I will give my best and try to be as calm and relaxed as possible. Whatever is meant to happen will happen, knowing that I will give my all.
Gauff would have scheduled a final clash with the four-time Roland Garros champion had Swiatek defeated Aryna Sabalenka. After starting slugglishly, Swiatek slowly gained momentum but her level dropped drastically and Sabalenka clinched a final set bagel to book her spot in the French Open final for the first time.
Sabalenka has now become the first woman to progress to three Grand Slam singles finals on the trot (2024 US Open, 2025 Australian Open, and this year’s French Open) after Serena Williams who progressed to the finals of the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, back in 2016. Gauff and Sabalenka are tied at 5-5 in the head-to-head record and they have also one match each on clay against each other.
The 21-year-old beat the Belarusian in the third round of the 2021 Italian Open. Sabalenka this year won her third Madrid Open title by defeating the American.
Before this season, the three-time Grand Slam singles champion was a semifinalist in Paris, reaching the last four in 2023, while last year, she lost to Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals. Gauff was defeated by Swiatek in the semifinal last year.
Except for the Stuttgart Open, Gauff has advanced to the finals of all the clay-court events she played. Sabalenka was defeated in the Italian Open quarterfinals by Qinwen Zheng but has reached the finals in Stuttgart, Madrid, and now in Paris. Gauff is chasing her first title since winning the 2024 WTA Finals, while Sablenka has three titles under her belt this season.
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Dodgers facing potential trade decision amid Blake Snell news
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Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
The Boston Bruins have been under pressure to retool after a disappointing season, and now a potential blockbuster move could shake the entire NHL. A major trade proposal has surfaced that could send a star goaltender to the Edmonton Oilers, a move that would give them the elite presence they've lacked in net while forcing Boston closer to a rebuild. The deal being floated by multiple outlets would send Edmonton's current starter, Stuart Skinner, along with Matthew Savoie, Beau Akey, and a 2028 first-round pick to Boston, while the Oilers land a goaltender capable of changing their Cup window overnight. Edmonton's push for a franchise goalie could reshape the Western Conference and challenge the Dallas Stars' path to the Cup If this trade goes through, the Oilers would instantly address one of their biggest weaknesses, setting up a showdown with teams like the Dallas Stars, who already see Edmonton as one of their toughest rivals. Boston, on the other hand, would fully commit to a rebuild, pairing Joonas Korpisalo with Skinner in what could be one of the NHL's weakest tandems, likely boosting their draft lottery odds in one of the most hyped draft classes in recent memory (NHL.com). An insider noted, "They weren't the only ones who had inquired about Swayman, but yes, I was told they poked around." That comment shows just how wide the interest is for this level of goalie talent (Heavy.com). I think this kind of trade would completely shift the balance of power in the West, making Edmonton even more dangerous for teams like Dallas, who could end up facing a vastly upgraded Oilers team in the playoffs. If Boston truly embraces a rebuild, moving their top goaltender could be the first domino in a massive roster overhaul, something that could shake the market for weeks.
Red Sox Aren't Getting Standout Back Anytime Soon
The Boston Red Sox got some bad news in the infield. Rookie infielder Marcelo Mayer has gotten a lot of time at second base and third base. Since Alex Bregman returned, Mayer has gotten most of his action at second base while also filling in as the Red Sox worked Bregman back slowly. Unfortunately, he's on the Injured List, though, due to a wrist sprain. MassLive.com's Christopher Smith shared the lastest update on Mayer from Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Saturday noted that he's "not gonna play soon." "No new updates on Marcelo Mayer's wrist sprain, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said," Smith shared. "'Just waiting for results and see specialists and all that stuff,' Cora added. 'He's not gonna play soon. So have to make sure where we're at and what the course of action is going to be.'" Losing Mayer is tough. Defense has been a question mark for Boston once again this season but Mayer has helped in that area. With Mayer out, Ceddanne Rafaela is expected to get a lot of action at second base. That helps to alleviate the logjam in the outfield, but also removes arguably the best defensive center fielder in the game. Boston isn't at full strength and Cora noting he's "not gonna play soon" certainly doesn't sound positive. Before going down, Mayer was slashing .228/.272/.402 with four homers, 10 RBIs, and eight doubles. Will the Red Sox add another piece ahead of the trade deadline? It absolutely makes sense at this point.
Stuart Skinner 'Part of the Ask' in Goalie Upgrade Trade for Oilers
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