Roland Garros: A visual guide to the iconic clay court grand slam

CNN —

It’s crunch time in Paris as we reach the business end of the French Open .

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka came through a battle against four-time winner and defending champion Iga Świątek to make the women’s final where she will face American star Coco Gauff, who ended Lois Boisson’s Cinderella story.

Meanwhile, in the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz is facing rising Italian star Lorenzo Musetti in the semifinals and 24-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic clashes with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner .

We look set for another memorable weekend of action on the iconic red clay of Roland Garros .

Here’s everything you need to know about one of the world’s oldest tennis tournaments:

A history beginning in the 19th century

Starting out as the “ French Clay-Court Championships ”