Madrid Open: Aryna Sabalenka outlasts Coco Gauff in 'intense' final to claim 20th WTA title - 'Happy I was able to handle my emotions'

Aryna Sabalenka's storming 2025 season continued as she claimed a WTA Tour-best third title of the season at the Madrid Open. The world No. 1 defeated Coco Gauff in straight sets in Saturday's final to continue her impressive momentum leading up to the French Open. She described the final as "intense" and said she was pleased to be "able to handle my emotions."

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka poses with her trophy after winning US' Coco Gauff during their 2025 WTA Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament singles final match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on May 1, 2025.

Image credit: Getty Images

Aryna Sabalenka claimed her 20th career WTA title by claiming a record-equalling third Madrid Open trophy with a straight-sets win over Coco Gauff in Saturday’s final.

The world No. 1 powered to a 6-3 7-6(3) victory in a one-hour 39-minute battle to deny the American her chance to rise to second spot in the rankings.

Sabalenka’s win saw her equal Petra Kvitova as the record title winner in Madrid as she continued a theme of winning in odd years by adding the 2025 crown to her 2021 and 2023 triumphs.

WTA Wuhan

Gauff reveals why she nearly missed Asian swing after claiming Wuhan Open title

12/10/2025 at 22:07

The Belarusian’s triumph continued her storming seasonal form as she claimed her tour-leading third title of the season to send a warning to her rivals ahead of the French Open at Roland-Garros later in May – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

With Brisbane and Miami titles also in the bag in 2025, Sabalenka’s sights will be set on adding a fourth Grand Slam to her impressive CV in Paris following her defeat to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final in January.

"It was a really tough match," Sabalenka said. "At the end of the second set it was really intense and I was very emotional. I am happy I was able to handle my emotions."

Sabalenka dropped just one set on her path to glory in Madrid as she knocked out Anna Blinkova, Elise Mertens, Peyton Stearns, Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina before besting Gauff to level their head-to-head at 5-5.

She wasted little time in taking charge of the match, breaking Gauff early in the opening set before bagging a double-break for a 4-1 lead as she rattled off a run of 17 consecutive points.

Gauff recovered to pull one break back but could not stop the Sabalenka momentum as the top seed recovered from a minor blip to claim the first set comfortably.

The second proved a more challenging task for the Belarusian, who found herself 4-2 down and facing set point as Gauff threatened to set up a decider.