Sabalenka beats Gauff directly to win the Madrid Open to win the 20th professional championship
Madrid: No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated No. 4 Coco Gauff in a row to win her third Madrid Open and Saturday’s 20th professional title.
Sabalenka took the momentum in the first set and beat the Americans 6-3, 7-6 (3) in Games 6-3, 7-6 (3).
Sabalenka added Madrid's championship in 2021 and 2023 and equals Petra Kvitova's match record. It was also Sabalenka's third tour leader in the year after Brisbane and Miami. She also reached the level with Gauff in a five-win status.
Gauff may move to second place with a win. The 2023 U.S. Open champion lost only one this week until the final. Gauff's outstanding record in the finals scored nine wins in 11.
Sabalenka drove early to hit Gauff, scoring a 4-1 start in 17 consecutive points in the quarter. When Gauff discovered his weakness by spreading his shots, the former champion dug into the second set and smashed any chance of making a comeback.
Sabalenka missed a championship in the second set, recalling her failure to lose three championship points to Iga Swiatek in the final last year. After yelling at the chance she missed, the three-time Grand Slam champion shocked her demons and settled down to end her 2025 Supreme Tour.
Sabalenka pushed his arm into the air when Gauff's last shot.
“It’s a tough game,” Sabalenka said. “It was really intense at the end of the second set and I was very excited. I was so happy to be able to handle my emotions.”
Casper Ruud plays Jack Draper in Sunday's men's final.
