Sabalenka outpaces Gauff, securing Madrid Open championship, matching existing record
Hot Off the Court! Aryna Sabalenka Equals Madrid Record with Spectacular Win
In a thrilling display, Top Dog Aryna Sabalenka clinched an awe-inspiring Madrid Open title on Saturday, triumphing over Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the final. This victory not only equals Petra Kvitova's record three triumphs in Madrid but also snatches Sabalenka her 20th career title!
With this win, Sabalenka solidifies her position as world No. 1, following an extraordinarily dominating beginning to the year. She's managed to reach four consecutive finals, gliding her way to a tour-leading 31 wins!
Meanwhile, Gauff, who had a golden chance to surge ahead of Iga Świątek to capture the No. 2 spot with a win, remains the No. 3 seed in the rankings.
After the match, an elated Sabalenka expressed her gratitude to the crowd, praising Madrid's charm and their unwavering support.
Sabalenka showcased an almost flawless start to the match, her powerful ground strokes leaving Gauff reeling as she won an unyielding 17 straight points to steal the opening set.
Though Gauff adjusted to the match, she couldn't manage to bridge the gap and was forced to launch her comeback in the second set. A tactical pass shot enabled Gauff to break Sabalenka early in the set, and she eventually served to seal the second set at 5-4, equalizing the match.
Sabalenka charged to a 0-40 lead, but Gauff valiantly fought back, saving one break point. In an unexpected turn, Sabalenka lost grip of her racquet during a crucial break point, offering Gauff an opening. Gauff expertly seized the opportunity, engineering a set point—but once again, Sabalenka refused to let the match slip, saving it and later breaking back. Finally, despite Gauff's unwavering efforts, the set proceeded to a tiebreak, which Sabalenka dominated, securing the match.
Fun Fact: This victory against Gauff levels their head-to-head rivalry at 5-5! Sabalenka's performance in the 2025 Madrid final demonstrates her ability to thrive under pressure, despite dramatic moments that tested her composure.
In the 2025 Madrid Open final, Aryna Sabalenka matched Petra Kvitova's record of three triumphs in Madrid by defeating Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 (3). This victory also marked Sabalenka's 20th career title, a significant leapfrogging in her sports career. Following her spectacular win, Sabalenka moved ahead of Coco Gauff in the tennis rankings, securing her position as the world No. 1 player.
