Queen in Madrid: Unstoppable Aryna Sabalenka powerfully defeats Coco Gauff for her third title

Aryna Sabalenka is crowned champion of the Madrid Open for the third time after defeating Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6(3). The world No. 1 once again showed why she is in an unbeatable state of form and achieves back-to-back titles in WTA 1000 events.

The world No. 1 can boast an impeccable 23-2 record in the last five editions of the Madrid Open, with three titles and two finals. Sabalenka equals Petra Kvitova as the all-time champions of the tournament.

A couple of unforced errors and a double fault seemed to demoralize Gauff, who looked frustrated by the mistakes. Sabalenka secured the break and went on to win 17 consecutive points to take the lead 4-1. It wasn't just the American's errors – both on serve and in rallies – but every ball that Sabalenka took comfortably easily ended in winners.

The Belarusian's level looked significantly superior, and it seemed like a set that would go quickly after just 20 minutes of play. However, the world No. 4 stopped Sabalenka's point streak and began to gain confidence in the match, especially after securing a break and then holding her serve to reduce the deficit to 3-4.

It was to little avail, as Gauff failed to hold her serve in the final part of the set, and Sabalenka secured a break that put her ahead 6-3, even though the differences had narrowed at the end of the set. Sabalenka had 75% of her first serves in, winning 72% of them, while Gauff only had 53% of her first serves in, winning 50% of them. Up to that point, the Belarusian had won practically double the points of the American (63% - 37%).

In the second set, it seemed like a new dynamic might emerge for the American after taking control of the set early on. The 2023 US Open champion won 8 consecutive points and went ahead 3-1. The world No. 4 clung to her serve, saving several break points against her and went up 5-3, despite struggling against a Sabalenka who was regaining confidence on her serve.

Gauff started at 5-4 with a double fault, and her confidence waned as she went down 0-40. The American managed several consecutive points to stay in the fight in a hard-fought game, but Sabalenka finally secured the break and stood ready to close out the victory by holding her serve. However, she wasted a match point, and Gauff forced a tie-break.

In the decisive moment, it was Sabalenka who took the early advantage and showed her composure to close out the victory in straight sets, even saving a set point against her along the way. A 6-3, 7-6(3) victory for the world No. 1, giving her her 9th WTA 1000 title and third in Madrid, equaling Petra Kvitova's record. Sabalenka also tallies 17 wins in her last 18 WTA 1000 matches.