Aryna Sabalenka Soars to Number One after Dominating Madrid Open, Stretching Lead Over Iga Swiatek
Tennis player Sabalenka finds Madrid Open to be a dream come true
AP, MADRID
In a dream season, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka claimed her third Madrid Open title on Saturday with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) win over Coco Gauff, extending her stunning form this year and further widening the gap between her and struggling rival Iga Swiatek.
With this victory, Sabalenka not only cemented her status as the leader in the women's tennis world but also brought her closer to an unprecedented milestone. As of now, she holds a staggering 11,118 ranking points, making her the third woman ever to surpass 11,000 points, following in the footsteps of legends Serena Williams and Iga Swiatek[3][4][5].
Last year's runner-up Sabalenka squashed the American fourth-ranked Gauff in the first set, before showcasing remarkable resilience in the second to clinch the match in the tie-break. Gauff's misfortune was Sabalenka's gain, as the Pole, who defeated Gauff in the semi-final on Thursday, continues to falter.
Sabalenka's victory, her 31st of the season on the Madrid clay, adds the prestigious WTA 1000 trophy to her titles in Brisbane and Miami. It was her sixth final of the year and the 37th of her career, making her a force to be reckoned with on the court.
"To be honest, reaching six finals this year sounds insane... I just try to work hard and bring my game for every match," Sabalenka said. "But to actually achieve it, it's like a dream."
The Belarusian star expressed her hope of continuing her winning streak and maintaining her current level of play. With her main rival Swiatek struggling for form, Sabalenka finds herself in a prime position to claim the French Open title and hold onto her top spot.
"Iga may be having a tough time right now, but I'm confident she'll bounce back. I'm mainly focusing on my own game and doing whatever I can to improve for future challenges on the court," Sabalenka said.
It's the second time Sabalenka has defeated Gauff in Madrid, having claimed victory in the 2023 final. The American, who won the US Open in 2023, faced a barrage of powerful shots from Sabalenka throughout the match and despite managing to claim a break in the first set, she struggled to keep up.
The first set flew by in a mere 35 minutes as Sabalenka, with her 17 consecutive points in the middle of the set and two set points, wrapped it up with ease. In the second set, Gauff came out fighting, switching up her serve more and taking a 3-1 lead. However, Sabalenka, ever persistent, broke back and denied Gauff a chance to serve for the set twice.
The two connected in a tense tie-break, where Sabalenka ultimately prevailed, closing the match with Gauff's double fault at the end.
With this victory, Sabalenka not only equaled Petra Kvitova's record of three Madrid Open titles but also placed herself 4,345 points ahead of Swiatek in the rankings, signaling her intent to hold onto the top spot for the foreseeable future[4][5].
"Overall, there are a lot of positives to take, but I'm obviously disappointed with how I played today," Gauff admitted after the match. "I feel like I could've shown up better."
[3] https://www.wtatennis.com/rankings/singles[4] https://www.espn.com/tennis/womens/tournament/results/_/id/4978888/2025-madrid-open-m Madrid[5] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/53058342
- Sabalenka's impressive win at the Madrid Open, extending her lead over Swiatek, highlights her dominance in women's tennis, potentially impacting the upcoming French Open.
- With her latest victory, Sabalenka has equaled the record for Madrid Open titles and is 4,345 points ahead of Swiatek in the rankings, emphasizing her position as a force in sports, particularly tennis.
