Madrid open: Sabalenka wins 20th title

No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka beat No. 4 Coco Gauff in straight sets to win her record-tying third Madrid Open and 20th career title on Saturday.

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Sabalenka powered through the first set and edged the American in a tiebreaker for 6-3 7-6(3) on the Caja Magica claycourt.

Sabalenka added to titles in Madrid in 2021 and 2023 and equalled Petra Kvitova’s tournament record. It was also Sabalenka’s tour-leading third title of the year after Brisbane and Miami. She also pulled level with Gauff on head-to-head with five wins apiece.

Gauff could have risen to No. 2 with a victory. The 2023 US 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. 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. “It was a really tough match,” Sabalenka said.