MADRID — Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka beat No. 4 Coco Gauff in straight sets Saturday to win her record-tying third Madrid Open and 20th career title on the WTA Tour.
Sabalenka, a 26-year-old from Belarus, powered through the first set and edged the 21-year-old American in a tiebreaker for 6-3, 7-6 (3) win on the Caja Mágica clay court.
Sabalenka added to titles in Madrid in 2021 and 2023 and equaled Petra Kvitova’s tournament record. It was also Sabalenka’s tour-leading third title of the year after triumphs at Brisbane and Miami. She also pulled level with Gauff in head-to-head meetings with five wins apiece.
Gauff could have risen to No. 2 in the WTA rankings with a victory. The 2023 U.S. Open champion lost only one set this week until the final. Gauff’s great record in finals slipped to nine wins in 11.
Sabalenka battered Gauff with her drive early on, winning 17 consecutive points during one section for a 4-1 start. And when Gauff found her weakness by spreading her shots around, the former champion dug in to force a second-set tiebreaker and crush any chance of a comeback.
Sabalenka missed a championship point on a break chance in the second set, recalling her failure to convert three championship points in a loss to Iga Swiatek in last year’s final. After yelling at herself for her missed opportunity, the three-time Grand Slam winner shook off her demons, settled down and finished off her tour-high 31st win of 2025.
When Gauff’s final shot hit the net, Sabalenka thrust her arms into the air.
“It was a really tough match,” Sabalenka said. “At the end of the second set it was really intense, and I was very emotional. I am happy I was able to handle my emotions.”
The men’s final is Sunday. Jack Draper, ranked fifth on the ATP Tour, faces No. 14 Casper Ruud.