Sabalenka earns Madrid hat-trick at expense of Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka lived up to her top seeding with a hat-trick of titles on Saturday at the Madrid Masters, with the world No. 1 defeating Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the final.

Sabalenka held off No. 4 Gauff, who had a chance to reach world No. 2 with a victory and a first title of the season.

But Sabalenka was having no part of that scenario, saving a set point for the American at 5-4 in the second set and quickly closing out the win in just under an hour and three-quarters.

 Sabalenka’s third trophy in the Spanish capital pulled her alongside Petra Kvitova as a three-time champion here. She now owns three trophies in 2025 from Brisbane and the Miami Masters in March.

She now owns 31 match wins this season, well ahead of second placed Jessica Pegula on 27. She squared her career record with Gauff at five wins apiece.

She stands 6-0 against top 10 opponents this season,

Overall there’s a lot of positives to take,” finalist Gauff said. “Obviously I’m disappointed with maybe how I played”I feel I could have showed up better. But I went from an 0-6 set in the first round and made it to the final, so happy with that. 

“Obviously I’m hoping for more next time.”

Sabalenka was pleased to emerge the winner. “I just have more confidence in my game on the clay court,” Sabalenka said.
“I had really tough battles in the past in the last stages of the tournament. I was there in the semis and was really close to make it to the finals.

“I just go out there and compete and fight. Physically and mentally I’m ready to work for every point as much as I have to work.”

After reaching six finals from eight tournaments this season, Sabalenka is riding high with Rome and Roland Garros approaching.

“That sounds crazy, to be honest. It’s something I didn’t
expect to happen,

“I work hard and I know that if I bring my game and if I fight for every point that I’m capable of that.

“It’s like a dream. I really hope that I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and keep playing the way I’m playing right now.”

Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka celebrates with trophy – by ISF Ltd