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World number one Aryna Sabalenka captured her third Madrid Open crown on Saturday with a straight-sets victory over Coco Gauff, winning 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in the final.
The Belarusian, last year’s runner-up, dominated the early stages and withstood a spirited second-set fightback from the fourth-seeded American to seal the WTA 1000 title. The match concluded in anticlimactic fashion as Gauff double-faulted on championship point in the tie-break.
The win marks Sabalenka’s 31st career triumph on Madrid’s clay courts — the most on tour — and adds another trophy to a stellar 2024 campaign that already includes victories in Brisbane and Miami. It was her sixth final this season and the 37th of her professional career, underlining her consistency at the elite level.
Having lost last year’s Madrid final to Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka took full advantage of the Pole’s absence this time around — Swiatek had been knocked out by Gauff in the semi-finals.
Sabalenka began Saturday’s final in dominant fashion, surging to a 4-1 lead after reeling off 17 consecutive points and breaking Gauff in both the third and fifth games. The US Open champion, 21, struggled to match Sabalenka’s explosive power but managed a break of her own to stay in touch. However, Sabalenka immediately responded and wrapped up the first set in 35 minutes after Gauff sliced wide on her second set point.
Gauff responded with renewed focus in the second set, varying her serve and breaking in the third game before consolidating for a 3-1 lead. Despite mounting pressure from Sabalenka, the American clung to her advantage, fending off two break points in a tense sixth game.
But the nerves began to show when Gauff served for the set at 5-4. Two double faults gifted Sabalenka three break points. In a bizarre moment during one rally, Sabalenka dropped her racquet mid-point but still managed to keep the ball in play, drawing laughter from the crowd. Gauff saved all three break points — and later a fourth — but Sabalenka eventually broke back on her fifth opportunity.
The top seed then held for 6-5, but Gauff dug deep to force a tie-break. Sabalenka took an early lead in the breaker with two mini-breaks. Although Gauff briefly rallied, Sabalenka’s relentless pressure proved too much. Holding three championship points, she didn’t need to swing her racquet for the final one — Gauff double-faulted to end the match.
The victory provides Sabalenka with a timely confidence boost ahead of the French Open, as she continues to stake her claim as the dominant force on clay this season.
