Aryna Sabalenka sealed her third Madrid Open title after the world No 1 ended the hopes of Coco Gauff with a dramatic victory on Saturday.
In an exciting encounter on La Caja Magica, top-ranked Sabalenka received 17 factors in a row early within the contest however needed to
save a set level within the second set. She ultimately secured a 6-3 7-6 (7-3) success over the American to finish her hopes of claiming her tenth title in 11 finals.
Sabalenka, who claimed the title in 2021 and 2023 and was the runner-up to Iga Swiatek in 2024, ties Petra Kvitova (2011, 2015, 2018) for essentially the most Madrid titles received.
“I’m super happy. It wasn’t an easy match today and I’m so happy to get this trophy,” Sabalenka instructed Sky Sports activities Tennis. “Before the match, I saw they had a new trophy and I was like, ‘I need this one, I want to win this trophy’, and I’m super happy.
“The match was going very well till that early break within the second set after which I used to be simply making an attempt to return again into the match. I discovered my rhythm on the serve after which I used to be simply making an attempt put as a lot strain on her function doable. I am simply actually glad I used to be capable of break her again in that tough sport at 4-5 and it was a extremely intense finish to the match.”
A dominant Sabalenka, who turns 27 on Monday, received 4 video games straight with out conceding a degree to construct a 4-1 lead within the first set. Though former US Open champion Gauff battled again with a break to make it 4-2, the Belarusian secured the set with one other break.
The American regained her composure and broke serve to steer 2-1 within the second.
Gauff, who had received 5 of their earlier 9 conferences, served for the set at 5-4, however Sabalenka lastly took her fifth probability to interrupt again, saving a set level and seeing the humorous facet when she dropped her racket in the midst of one rally.
Gauff mentioned: “I’d like to congratulate Aryna on an incredible tournament. You’re always tough to face. Congrats to your team. You’re always doing well, but the last four straight finals, I think. Congrats on all the success you’ve been having.”
The Belarusian now has a lead of greater than 4,000 factors over her stuttering rival within the rankings, though the end result does imply Iga Swiatek stays forward of Gauff at No 2.
Sabalenka provides the Madrid crown to titles in Miami and Brisbane, along with her excellent consistency seeing her attain the ultimate in six of the eight tournaments she has performed up to now in 2025.
Story of the Tape
Naomi Broady, talking on Sky Sports activities Tennis: “Sabalenka leading in almost every single area as she was after the first set but Gauff overtook her in winners in the end. The bottom leg is where my eyes are drawn though. Break points won, just four from 13 for Sabalenka. I think that’s an area she can look to improve, specifically against Coco Gauff.”
Croft: Sabalenka deserved it
Annabel Croft, talking on Sky Sports activities Tennis: “She really deserved it. It wasn’t a great start from Coco Gauff and I thought at one stage it was going to be a whitewash actually and then she suddenly released.
“There have been some dramatic moments with set level and match level after which right into a tie-break, however I’ve to say Sabalenka did play the higher tennis.”
Colin Fleming added: “I am gutted for Coco Gauff as a result of I assumed she was marginally the higher participant for a very good chunk of the second set.
“When the pressure is on that is when your technique is really tested and unfortunately there were three double faults in that game at 5-4, then at 5-5 the forehand went. Then it unravelled from there.”
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