Red-hot Sabalenka too strong for Gauff in Madrid final

Aryna Sabalenka described her red-hot form as "like a dream" after clinching her third Madrid Open title with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) win over Coco Gauff on 4 may. The world number one breezed through the first set before showing grit in a tight second-set tie-break, sealing victory as Gauff double-faulted on championship point.

The Belarusian, runner-up in Madrid last year, added to her 2024 title haul after triumphs in Brisbane and Miami, extending her tour-best record to 31 wins this season. This was also her sixth final of the year and her fourth in Madrid alone, a tournament she has now won three times — equalling Petra Kvitova's record.

"Getting to six finals sounds crazy, to be honest," said Sabalenka. "I work hard and I know that if I bring my game and fight for every point, I'm capable of that. But to actually do it for real... it's like a dream."

Gauff, who had stunned Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, could not maintain her momentum against the reigning Australian Open runner-up. After an early hold, the American was swept aside as Sabalenka won 17 consecutive points to build a 4-1 lead and wrap up the opening set in just 35 minutes.

Although Gauff found her rhythm in the second set — breaking in the third game and holding for 3-1 — she faltered when it mattered most. Serving for the set at 5-4, she double-faulted twice and eventually lost the game after Sabalenka converted her fifth break point.

The top seed then saved a set point and pushed the match into a tie-break, where she broke twice early. Gauff briefly pulled back to level on serve, but Sabalenka regained control and was gifted victory when the 21-year-old American ended the contest with another double fault.

The win also saw Sabalenka draw level 5-5 in career meetings with Gauff, while matching Kvitova's Madrid record.

"There are still a lot of positives to take, but I'm obviously disappointed with how I played today," admitted Gauff. "I feel like I could have showed up better."

Sabalenka, meanwhile, appears firmly on course for a serious tilt at the French Open later this month, especially with Swiatek — last year's Roland Garros champion — currently struggling for consistency.

"Probably Iga is not doing well right now, which is fine — I know she's going to come back," said Sabalenka. "But I'm working for the future, trying to improve my game so I'm ready for whoever brings the challenge."