Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will want to avoid Coco Gauff in French Open draw, says former world No 2

Shahida Jacobs 22 May 2024 10:45 AM

Iga Swiatek v Coco Gauff v Aryna Sabalenka

Coco Gauff’s athleticism and her experience at Roland Garros will make her a difficult player at this year’s French Open, according to former world No 2 Alex Corretja.

American Gauff heads to Paris as the third seed behind Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, which means she is projected to meet one of them in the semi-final if the seedings hold.

The 20-year-old is looking to go one better than her runners-up finish to Swiatek in the 2022 final, but she does have a lot more experience under her belt this time around.

Gauff joined the Grand Slam winning circle in September last year when she beat Sabalenka in the US Open final and two-time French Open runner-up Corretja feels she will be a dangerous opponent to meet at this year’s tournament.

“She is already stable, you know, she’s already solid,” the Spaniard told Eurosport.

“She’s a major champion and she knows how to play well also in Paris, and it’s very difficult to beat Coco because she runs a lot.

“When she gets confidence in herself, it’s very important and she’s someone that knows already what she needs to do to play well in the big events, and at such a young age, this is so difficult.

“If you are Iga or Aryna, I don’t think you like to see her on the side of the draw that is in the semi-finals to you because, you know, it’s such a tough match you need to play before the final.”

Gauff against Swiatek and Sabalenka

Swiatek, the two-time defending French Open champion who is looking for a third title in Paris, has an incredible record against Gauff as she leads their head-to-head 10-1.

Her most recent win over the American came in the semi-final of the Italian Open while Gauff has only taken two sets off the Pole in 11 outings with that coming during her sole win in the last four of the Cincinnati Open.

The reigning US Open champion’s record against Sabalenka is much better as she leads the H2H 4-3 with one of those wins coming in the 2023 US Open final. Sabalenka, though, turned the tables in the semi-final of this year’s Australian Open.

Gauff reached the quarter-final last year as she went down in straight sets against Swiatek while her overall record at Roland Garros is 15-4.