Aryna Sabalenka won her third Madrid Open title against Coco Gauff on Saturday, falling 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).
The American, who was ranked fourth last year, defeated the runner-up in the first set before winning in a tie-break and sealing victory with a double fault.
Sabalenka won the WTA 1000 trophy in Brisbane and Miami, adding to her tour-leading 31st victories on Madrid clay.
She reached the final six times in a row at Madrid this year, and it was her 37th of her career.
Iga Swiatek, who Gauff thrashed in the semi-final on Thursday, defeated Sabalenka in the showpiece last year.
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Before addressing the crowd, Sabalenka told the crowd, “I’m pretty sure we’re going to play many more times in the finals — although I hope I’m going to get all (the wins).”
“I’m always so excited to play in front of you, and I’m so happy to win this year.”
Gauff managed an initial hold, but the three-time Grand Slam champion waded through the first set.
As Gauff struggled to deal with her immense power, Sabalenka racked up a 4-1 lead with breaks in the third and fifth games and won the next 17 points.
The American, who won the US Open in 2023, was able to stifle the 2021 and 2023 Madrid champion with her own break.
With her second set point, Gauff sliced wide, Sabalenka broke once more to tie the match in 35 minutes.
The American consolidated for a 3-1 lead in the second set by upping her serve and securing a break in the third game.
In the sixth game, Sabalenka put in a lot of pressure on Gauff, who held on for a 4-2 lead.
Gauff twice double faulted her opponent, giving her opponent three break points, when she was 5-4 up and serving the set.
As Gauff saved all three of those, Sabalenka dropped her racquet in a comical moment during a rally on the second, the Belarusian gazing at the crowd in disbelief.
Gauff saved a further break point after a wasteful set point, but Sabalenka won the game for good at the fifth time without asking.
The world number one fought through a difficult tie-break with 6-5 but was denied a championship point by Gauff.
Before Gauff’s serve-assisted mini-break, Sabalenka secured two more points before he fought back, but the 26-year-old eventually took control and won three more championship points.
Gauff handed victory to the Australian Open’s runner-up this year with a double fault.
With a 5-5 lead over Gauff, Sabalenka equaled Petra Kvitova’s winning streak for three women’s Madrid Open titles.
Despite losing, Gauff thanked her team and the Madrid Open organizers, saying, “I think this is a step in the right direction.”
Source: Channels TV
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