Aryna Sabalenka Wins Third Madrid Open
World number one, Aryna Sabalenka emerged victorious, defeating fourth seed Coco Gauff 6-3 7-6(3) to claim her third Madrid Open title on Saturday.
The Belarusian tennis star’s win marked her third title of the year on the WTA tour, solidifying her position as one of the dominant forces in women’s tennis.
Sabalenka’s victory was not without its challenges, as Gauff put up a fierce fight in the second set. However, the three-time major winner’s experience and skill ultimately paid off, as she secured the win in a thrilling tiebreak.
The match was a closely contested affair, with both players giving it their all in front of a packed crowd at the Caja Mágica.
The first set belonged to Sabalenka, who dominated Gauff with her powerful serves and precise volleys. She won four games straight without conceding a point to build a 4-1 lead, and although Gauff battled back with a break to make it 4-2, Sabalenka secured the set with another break.
The Belarusian’s impressive display of tennis saw her take the first set 6-3, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
The second set was a different story, as Gauff came out strong, breaking Sabalenka to go 2-1 up. The American held under pressure to build a 5-3 lead, and it seemed as though she was on the verge of forcing a deciding set. However, Gauff’s double faults while serving for the set allowed Sabalenka to break back and make it 5-5.
The set ultimately went to a tiebreak, where Sabalenka’s experience and composure paid off, as she took the tiebreak 7-3 to clinch the title.
In the post-match presentation, Sabalenka praised her opponent, saying, “I always enjoy fighting against you, you’re such a fighter.” Gauff, who was gracious in defeat, congratulated Sabalenka on her win, saying, “Incredible tournament, you’re always tough to face… congratulations on all the success that you’re having.”
The American also expressed her hope to return to the final next year, saying, “Hopefully I can be back in this position next year.”
Sabalenka’s win marked her sixth straight victory against top 10 ranked opponents this year without dropping a set, a testament to her dominant form. The Belarusian has now equalled Petra Kvitova’s record haul of three Madrid Open titles and has caught up with Gauff in their head-to-head, with five wins apiece after 10 meetings.
Sabalenka’s win in Madrid will give her a significant boost heading into the French Open, where she will be one of the top contenders for the title. The Belarusian has been in dominant form all year, and her win in Madrid will only add to her confidence. Gauff, on the other hand, will be looking to regroup and refocus after her narrow defeat. The American has been one of the most consistent players on the WTA tour this year, and she will be eager to get back to winning ways as she heads to the French Open.
With the French Open just around the corner, the tennis world will be eagerly watching to see how Sabalenka and Gauff perform in Paris. Will Sabalenka be able to continue her dominant form and claim another Grand Slam title? Or will Gauff be able to bounce back from her defeat in Madrid and make a deep run at Roland Garros? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure – the women’s tennis scene is more exciting than ever, and fans are in for a treat in the coming weeks.
