Sabalenka Beats Spirited Gauff To Win Madrid Open

Aryna Sabalenka overcame a spirited fightback from Coco Gauff to declare her 3rd Madrid Open title pinch a thrilling 6-3 7-6 (7-3) win.

World number 1 Sabalenka dominated nan opening group but squandered a title constituent successful a fluctuating 2nd group arsenic Gauff forced a tie-break.

There was still small to abstracted them arsenic Gauff recovered from 3-0 to make it 3-3 but a double responsibility gave 26-year-old Sabalenka nan victory.

Both came into nan last confidently, pinch Belarusian Sabalenka arsenic nan world's champion and Gauff coming disconnected nan backmost of her stunning semi-final triumph complete Iga Swiatek.

Sabalenka made a flying start, which included 17 points won successful a row, but Gauff's brave betterment saw her return a 5-3 lead successful nan 2nd set.

The 21-year-old American past saved six break points to thwart Sabalenka's comeback aft she had made it 5-5.

But Sabalenka held her nervus nether unit successful her sixth last of 2025 truthful far, adding nan Madrid title to her wins successful Brisbane and Miami.

Her erstwhile wins successful Madrid came successful 2021 and 2023 and she was runner-up to Swiatek successful 2024. She ties pinch Czech subordinate Petra Kvitova (2011, 2015, 2018) for nan astir wins successful nan tournament.

"Congratulations to Coco. I americium truthful happy to spot you backmost playing your champion tennis," Sabalenka said.

"You are specified a combatant and I emotion playing against you.

"With my team, we person been done a batch together truthful convey you to them."

Gauff said to Sabalenka: "I deliberation it's 4 consecutive finals for you... Congratulations to you for each nan occurrence you are having."

She added: "This has been a measurement successful nan correct guidance for me. It is 1 of my favourite cities and tournaments to travel to, and hopefully we tin spell connected and triumph much from here."