2022 French Open women’s final info, recent form, what they said, preview: Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff

The future is now as two of tennis’ young guns will contest the 2022 French Open women’s final as it is Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff in Saturday’s showpiece match on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Will Iga Swiatek hold aloft the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen for a second time – just a few days after turning 21 –when “game, set and match” is called or will 18-year-old Gauff win her maiden Grand Slam title?
Both are seen as the future of women’s tennis with Gauff breaking through in 2019 when she became the youngest player to reach the main draw at Wimbledon at the age of 15 years and three months. She went on to win her maiden title later that year.
The following year Swiatek announced her arrival on the big scene as she won her first trophy at the French Open to become Poland’s maiden major singles winner. This year she also became the first Polish No 1 and is currently on a hot streak (more on that below).
📆 Saturday plans locked in!@CocoGauff x @iga_swiatek #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/VKaEOiOYdv
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2022
Iga Swiatek
Age: 21
World ranking: 1
Career-high ranking: 1
Career singles titles: 8
Grand Slam singles titles: 1
Career prize money: $8,929,786
The 5 Youngest Major Finals since 2020:
US Open 2021: Raducanu – Fernandez#RolandGarros 2022: Swiatek – Gauff
Wimbledon 2004: Sharapova – S.Williams
Wimbledon 2001: V.Williams – Henin
Australian Open 2008: Sharapova – Ivanovic pic.twitter.com/LHkCMFRziy
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) June 2, 2022
Coco Gauff
Age: 18
World ranking: 23
Career-high ranking: 15
Career singles titles: 2
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $3,159,857
18 years-old ✅
First Grand Slam Final ✅Soak it up @CocoGauff, see you on Saturday!#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ZjDTQMGrez
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2022
Recent form
If you are a tennis fan then you will know that Iga Swiatek is on some run. If you are just a casual observer then you probably won’t be aware that she is on 34-match unbeaten streak – the joint-second longest run in the 21st century with only Venus Williams on 35 ahead of her.
Her run started on February 22 and the last player to beat her was Jelena Ostapenko in Dubai. She has beaten the who’s who on the WTA during the run and has lifted five trophies – including three WTA 1000 titles.
34 – In 2000s, only three players have won more consecutive matches than Iga #Swiatek (34): Novak #Djokovic in 2011 (43), Roger #Federer in 2006 (42) and Venus #Williams in 2000 (35). Inspirational.@WTA_insider @WTA pic.twitter.com/AvV0wLKe5v
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) June 2, 2022
She will be the first to admit that she hasn’t faced the strongest field in Paris with 11th seed Jessica Pegula the highest-ranked player. The only player to take a set off her at Roland Garros was Qinwen Zheng in the fourth round.
Gauff’s season has been patchy so far with her best performance before the French Open was a run to the semi-final at the beginning of the year in Adelaide. She reached the round of 16 in her two tournaments before Paris.
The American is yet to drop a set at Roland Garros this year and Elise Mertens (31) was the highest-ranked player she has faced.
Iga Swiatek vs Coco Gauff head-to-head
They have met twice on the WTA Tour and Swiatek has won both matches in straight sets. Their first encounter was in Rome last year with the Pole winning 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 while she also claimed a 6-3, 6-1 victory in the round of 16 at this year’s Miami Open.
What they’ve said
“It’s a pretty special moment, I’m really emotional, I’m so grateful to be in that place, to be healthy and able to play that game. I love playing here. It’s easier to play matches with that kind of support. I’ve felt it in every place I played this year, basically, which is still surprising for me. I try to treat every match the same because when I’m going to realise this is one of the biggest matches of the season, it’s going to stress me out.” – Iga Swiatek
“I am going to be happy regardless. My parents are going to love me regardless. So I am going into it as another match. Yeah it’s a Grand Slam final but there are so many things going on in the world right now, especially in the United States, a lot of stuff is happening right now. I am not going to stress over a tennis match.” – Coco Gauff
“I’m pretty happy that she’s doing well, because I think she’s also had huge amount of pressure in her life. Being always the youngest one and the one that is supposed to be the future, it must have been tough. I’m happy that she’s doing well with that, because I’m sure that it took her a lot of energy to do it properly. But I can’t really judge, because I don’t know what’s going on there inside. So from what I see on court, she’s developing every year basically. And when I see her, I tend to forget that she’s 18. She’s playing really consistent. You can see her progressing, and I think that’s the most important thing.” – Swiatek on Gauff
Conclusion
On current form it is hard to look past a Swiatek victory as she is currently on an extraordinary stint that has seen her beat just about most top players. She has also beaten Gauff during that run and has generally looked a class above the rest of the field.
What will give Gauff a bit of confidence is the fact that she has beaten top-class players in the past as she defeated world No 1 Ashleigh Barty at last year’s Italian Open and also ousted defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round of the 2020 Australian Open. She also have wins over Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka.
Your first Grand Slam final always comes with extra pressure, but in recent years the likes of Osaka, Bianca Andreescu, Sofia Kenin, Swiatek and Emma Raducanu have all showed that if you keep your emotions in check then you can be the last player standing.
If one has to place a bet you would be foolish to go against Swiatek.
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Andy Murray pays tribute to motherly Sue Barker ahead of her final Wimbledon
Former World No 1 Andy Murray and…
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios a ‘legit contender’ according to Special Ks partner
The other half of the Special Ks has put his tag team partner over.
-
Wimbledon
Being an inspiration is part of the job for Ons Jabeur
Being a role model and inspiration is part of the job for Ons Jabeur.
-
Wimbledon
Jodie Burrage adding to the momentum behind Brits ahead of Wimbledon
Burrage’s journey, not only on grass courts but on tour as a whole, has not been smooth sailing.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – Rumours over Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon withdrawal as John Lloyd gives his verdict
US Open champion Raducanu has not played since withdrawing from the Rothesay Open Nottingham with the injury that continues to trouble her.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon: Jack Draper feels ‘ready to be dangerous’ following last four run in Eastbourne
Draper was beaten in the Eastbourne semi-finals by Maxime Cressy on Friday.
-
Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu can rise above the pressure and deliver at Wimbledon
The 19-year-old sparked more fears around her fitness by pulling out of a practice session on Friday.
-
News
Eastbourne: Jack Draper misses out on maiden ATP final
Cressy continued his conquering of the British players to edge through 7-6 (5) 6-7 (2) 6-3.
-
News
Ukraine grateful to Wimbledon for its decision to ban Russian players
The Ukrainian teenager says she has been “constantly disappointed” at the reaction of tennis since Russia’s invasion.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal making the most of every minute on grass
Rafael Nadal is upbeat ahead of Wimbledon.