Day 11 recap: Andreeva, pre-match warm up routines and more
Follow live French Open semifinal updates as Coco Gauff looks to join Aryna Sabalenka in the final at Roland Garros Getty Images
Coco Gauff needed just 36 minutes to take the first set against Loïs Boisson in the second women's semifinal at the 2025 French Open.
The U.S. No. 1 was near faultless in that opening set, winning it 6-1 behind three service holds. The home wild card, perhaps overawed by the occasion, will have to put Gauff under significant pressure if she wants any chance of avoiding a swift elimination.
The winner of this match will face Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's final after the world No. 1 beat Iga Świątek in three sets earlier on, including a bagel in the decider.
Earlier on Thursday, Italian duo Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Americans Taylor Townsend and Evan King to claim the mixed doubles crown. TV: TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel (U.S.); TNT, Discovery+ (UK)
TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel (U.S.); TNT, Discovery+ (UK) Streaming: Max for main coverage, Fubo (try for free) for secondary
Max for main coverage, Fubo (try for free) for secondary Join the discussion: live@theathletic.com
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Aryna Sabalenka beats Iga Swiatek, the reigning champion, to reach French Open final Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images/The Athletic
Missed out on all the key talking points from yesterday's action at the French Open? Have no fear, our tennis team at The Athletic has you covered.
From Mirra Andreeva showing how far she has come in an unlikely way to another reminder of the impact of bettors on athletes' lives — we digest all the big issues from day 11 in our French Open briefing.
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French Open recap: Crowd seizes its moment during Mirra Andreeva vs. Loïs Boisson Getty Images
Below is the path that Aryna Sabalenka took to reach the French Open semifinals: R1: def. Kamilla Rakhimova (6-1, 6-0)
R2: def. Jil Teichmann (6-3, 6-1)
R3: def. Olga Danilovic (6-2, 6-3)
R4: def. Amanda Anisimova (7-5, 6-3)
QF: def. Qinwen Zheng (7-6 (3), 6-3)
Per AccuWeather, the forecast in Paris is calling for cloudy with a 66 percent chance of rain in the morning (2.9 mm). Wouldn't be surprised to see the roof closed on Court Philippe-Chatrier at some point today.
...at least, that is the case for Aryna Sabalenka who is looking to seal her place in the final today.
Iga Swiatek stands in her way, though. She has been working hard on a routine — both on match days and on days off — without letting that fall into superstition or obsession, as she progresses through the rounds of the French Open.
That plus a willingness to obliterate any opponent in her path on the way to what she hopes will be her first Roland Garros title, could well set her up for success. Here's what she told TNT Sports about her preparations:
💬 'I'll have the same breakfast on the day when I'm playing. Avocado on toast with two fried eggs. I don't care (who I play next). Whoever makes it to the semis means they are playing good tennis. I want to compete and I want to win.'
Coco Gauff's path to the French Open quarterfinals has been nothing short of dominant, with the American yet to drop a set.
A tiebreak against Marie Bouzkova in the third round is the closest anyone has come to taking her to three sets so far. 1st Round: def. Olivia Gadecki (6-2, 6-2)
def. Olivia Gadecki (6-2, 6-2) 2nd Round: def. Tereza Valentova (6-2, 6-4)
def. Tereza Valentova (6-2, 6-4) 3rd Round: def. Marie Bouzkova (6-1, 7-6)
def. Marie Bouzkova (6-1, 7-6) 4th Round: def. Ekaterina Alexandrova (6-0, 7-5)
def. Ekaterina Alexandrova (6-0, 7-5) Quarterfinal: def. Madison Keys (6-7, 6-4, 6-1)
We need to keep making the most of calling Loïs Boisson the world No. 361 — because it is not going to last much longer.
Boisson is now guaranteed a fresh, career-high ranking of world No. 68 after winning her quarterfinal against Mirra Andreeva yesterday.
And in truth, she looks like a much better player than No. 68 now too.
I had to triple check this to make sure I'm not going squirly. But it is in fact true.
Jannik Sinner has only been broken TWICE (yes twice) this Roland Garros. Those two times came in the first round against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech.
Since then, Sinner hasn't been broken. Four straight matches...no one breaking the Italian's serve.
Dominance.
With Jannik Sinner's straight sets win yesterday in the men's singles, the dream final is still on the table — the Italian taking on Carlos Alcaraz for the first time in a Grand Slam final.
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.
All they need to do is win their semifinal bouts and the dream will become a reality.
Roland Garros, Paris, France
The stadium complex is in the 16th arrondissement (district) of the French capital city.
Court Philippe-Chatrier, Suzanne-Lenglen, and Simonne-Mathieu are the show courts here.
It's the only major played on clay and is a staple of the tennis calendar every year.
It's a busy time in the sports world — and there is no let up in the scheduling as spring becomes summer.
The Premier League season might be over but we have the Club World Cup and Women's Euros to look forward to in the soccer.
Plus the Formula One and MLB seasons are continuing and Wimbledon isn't far away either.
The Athletic is your one-stop shop to follow all those sports and more, with our industry leading coverage.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up on an exclusive offer here.
Looking to watch the action live? Here are your options: U.S.: TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel
TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel Streaming: Max for main coverage, Fubo (try for free)
Max for main coverage, Fubo (try for free) UK: TNT Sports, Discovery+
TNT Sports, Discovery+ Canada: TSN
TSN Australia: Stan Sports
Stan Sports France: France.tv Sport, Amazon Prime
Today's French Open action starts at 12 p.m. local time in Paris (CET).
That is the mixed doubles final between USA's Taylor Townsend and Evan King and Italy's Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.
As for the women's singles semifinals, that will take place on Court Philippe-Chatrier once that final concludes — no earlier than 3.15pm in Paris (CET).
That is 2.15p.m. for those of you in the UK, while for anyone tuning in Stateside it is 9.15 a.m. ET and 6.15 a.m. PT.
Hello! And welcome along to The Athletic where we are still in Paris for the 2025 French Open.
The heat was turned up a notch yesterday as the quarterfinals ended with a bang — and we continue our progress through the tournament as the semifinals get going today at Roland Garros.
So without further ado, let us take you through all the build-up to day 12 from the French capital...
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