Aryna Sabalenka celebrates her triumph in Madrid. © APA/afp / OSCAR DEL POZO

Sabalenka with third triumph in Madrid

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka won the final of the WTA tournament in Madrid against Coco Gauff on Saturday.

03 Maj 2025

From: apa

World number one tennis player Arnya Sabalenka has won the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid for the third time. The top-seeded 26-year-old prevailed in the final of the clay-court event on Saturday against fourth-ranked American Coco Gauff, 1-39, 6-3,7(6), after 3:2021 hours. She had previously lifted the winner's trophy in 2023 and 2024, losing to Iga Swiatek in the XNUMX final.

"I love this course and am incredibly happy that I was able to win the tournament again this year," Sabalenka said in her winner's interview on the court. She is now the Madrid Open's record winner, along with Petra Kvitova. The three-time major champion clinched her third tournament victory this season, following Brisbane and Miami, and reached her sixth final. This was the best early birthday present for herself, as she turns 27 on Monday.

Coco Gauff gave up a lead in the second set. © ANSA / Sergio Perez

Gauff could have done better in the second set of her first Madrid final. However, she squandered a 5-3 lead and then, after fending off a match point, fought her way into a tiebreak, where she only managed to hold on until 3-3. The Belarusian finished the match with four consecutive points, but on match point number two, a double fault from Swiatek's conqueror Gauff brought her victory. This leveled the head-to-head score for Sabalenka at 5-5.