They just met at the Italian Open final before the French Open, where the Spaniard got the better of the world No. 1. They've had dramatic matches in the past at slams, most notably the 2022 U.S. Open quarterfinal that ended in the wee hours of the morning.

That No. 2 seed Coco Gauff reached Thursday’s French Open semifinals should surprise no one. Her 361st-ranked opponent for a berth in the title match?

It’s another tough Grand Slam final against Coco,” Sabalenka said. “Another terrible performance from me against Coco in the final. I have to step back, look at this from