Swiatek, Paolini set up Paris final showdown
Iga Swiatek moved closer to her third consecutive French Open title on Thursday, defeating American third seed Coco Gauff, and she will face Jasmine Paolini in the final after the Italian defeated Mirra Andreeva.
Swiatek, a four-time Grand Slam champion, won 6-2 6-4 in the semi-finals, her 11th victory in 12 meetings with Gauff, but the 23-year-old Pole had to battle through tough moments in the second set to match her longest winning streak on clay.
"I was pretty intense and putting pressure on Coco," Swiatek told reporters. "Most of the things overall in my game worked today, so I'm proud of myself."
Paolini joined her in the final, defeating Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-1, to continue Italy's golden Roland Garros run, while Jannik Sinner advanced to the men's semi-final.
Gauff will move up to second place in the rankings behind Swiatek, but her loss to the Pole, who also defeated her in the 2022 final and last year's quarterfinals, was a bitter pill to swallow for the 20-year-old.
"I think she's progressing a lot," Swiatek said of the U.S. Open champion.
"Last year's U.S. Open showed she's tough. At this age, it's obvious she's going to just grow. It's nice to see her handling everything well around her, because it's not easy. I'm sure we'll have plenty more intense matches at the highest level."
Swiatek broke in the first game following a forehand error by the ultra-aggressive Gauff, and she fought off break points in her next two service games before tightening her grip.
After losing the first set, Gauff wiped away tears while leading 2-1 in the second set after arguing with the umpire over a line decision, but the American recovered to break her opponent for the first time.
"I think it was just overwhelming," Gauff said.
"I'm losing the match. When you're playing against her... every point matters against anybody, but especially against her. I think it was just one of those moments, but I overcame it."
Swiatek struck back immediately before breaking to take a 4-3 lead with a powerful winner, bringing the 23-year-old's 20th consecutive victory at Roland Garros within reach.
Swiatek soaked up the applause on a sun-drenched Court Philippe-Chatrier, winning on serve and matching her 18-match winning streak on the sport's slowest surface in 2022.
Swiatek, who saved a match point to defeat former world number one Naomi Osaka in the second round, has only lost 14 games since and will be the favourite to win.
Paolini's confidence grew at Roland Garros, and the 28-year-old became the first Italian to reach the final on Parisian clay since her doubles partner Sara Errani in 2012.
She used her powerful forehand to devastating effect and now faces the ultimate challenge in Swiatek for a shot at her first Grand Slam title.
"Iga is an unbelievable player. So young, but so many achievements and Grand Slams," Paolini said.
"I have huge respect for her, but my goal is to step on court on Saturday and try to enjoy the match and that moment."
Andreeva, who defeated Paolini in their previous meeting in Madrid, squandered her few opportunities and made numerous errors in her first Grand Slam semi-final.
"I was struggling throughout the match, but it is what it is. It's just what happened today. I can take a lot of positive from these two weeks." Andreeva said.
"I think for the next few days I'll be a bit disappointed, but I'll be watching the final."
SportsLigue