Aryna Sabalenka beats Coco Gauff to win third Madrid Open crown
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World number one Aryna Sabalenka posing with her trophy after defeating Coco Gauff to win her third Madrid Open title.
PHOTO: AFP
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MADRID – World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said her sensational form this season is “like a dream”, after defeating Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) on May 3 to win her third Madrid Open title.
Last year’s runner-up cruised past the American, ranked fourth, in the first set before digging deep in the second to triumph in a tiebreak, sealing victory as Gauff double faulted.
Sabalenka recorded her Tour-leading 31st victory this season on the Madrid clay, adding the WTA 1000 trophy to titles in Brisbane and Miami.
It was the sixth final she has reached in 2025 and the 37th of her career, the fourth in five years at Madrid.
“(Getting to six finals) sounds crazy, to be honest... I work hard and I know that if I bring my game and if I fight for every point that I’m capable of that,” Sabalenka said.
“But to actually like, do it for real, I was like, okay, this is cool. This is... like a dream. I really hope that I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and keep playing the way I’m playing right now.”
In the 2024 showpiece, Sabalenka was beaten by Iga Swiatek, who was thrashed by Gauff in the semi-finals on May 1.
The Pole is struggling for form, which gives Sabalenka little competition for the world No. 1 spot and makes the Belarusian a leading contender for the upcoming French Open – Swiatek’s last title almost a year ago.
“You know, like now probably Iga is not doing well, which is absolutely fine, and I know that she’s going to come back,” added Sabalenka.
“I’m just working for the future, like trying to improve my game as much as I can, just so I’m ready for whoever is going to bring the challenge on court.”
The three-time Grand Slam champion ripped through the first set after Gauff managed an initial hold. The 26-year-old won the next 17 points and racked up a 4-1 lead as her rival struggled to cope with her power.
The 21-year-old American, who won the US Open in 2023, managed a break of her own but the 2021 and 2023 Madrid champion broke again to wrap up the first set in 35 minutes.
Gauff came out reinforced in the second set, switching up her serve more to secure a break in the third game, consolidating for a 3-1 advantage. She went 5-4 up but twice double faulted while serving for the set, handing her opponent three break points.
Sabalenka dropped her racket in a comical moment during a rally on the second of those, the Belarusian looking at the crowd in bemusement, as Gauff saved all three.
After squandering set point, Gauff saved another break point but Sabalenka eventually claimed the game at the fifth time of asking.
The set went to a tiebreak before the Belarusian took control to seal the title when Gauff double faulted.
Sabalenka pulled level at 5-5 with Gauff in head-to-head meetings and matched Petra Kvitova’s record of three women’s Madrid Open titles.
“I always enjoy fighting against you, you’re such a fighter. I’m super happy I was able to win this year,” Sabalenka told Gauff at the presentation ceremony, after she won her sixth straight match against top-10 ranked opponents in 2025 without dropping a set.
Gauff repaid the compliment, saying: “Incredible tournament, you’re always tough to face.
“Overall, there’s a lot of positives to take (but I’m) obviously disappointed with maybe how I played today. I feel like I could have showed up better.” AFP, REUTERS
