Overview
Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, clinched her third Madrid tournament title on Saturday by defeating American Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in the final. The 26-year-old Bielorussian, with three Grand Slam titles to her name, continues to build momentum ahead of Roland Garros, where she has yet to claim a championship.
Sabalenka’s Rising Form and WTA Ranking
Sabalenka’s recent victory in Miami, finalist appearances at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, and now her Madrid triumph have further solidified her lead in the WTA rankings. She now holds over 4,000 points more than Poland’s Iga Swiatek, the reigning Roland Garros champion.
Swiatek’s Recent Struggles in Madrid
In contrast, Swiatek has struggled in Madrid this year. She was defeated by Gauff in the semifinals 6-1, 6-1. This loss adds pressure on Swiatek as she aims to defend her Roland Garros title.
Sabalenka’s Confidence and Motivation
In her post-match press conference, Sabalenka expressed increased confidence in her game, both physically and mentally. She aims to maximize her achievements this year, revealing that she is focusing on maintaining her physical fitness.
Final Match Details
The final took place on Manolo Santana court, where Sabalenka quickly took control of the first set 4-1. Although Gauff rallied in the second set, she couldn’t overcome Sabalenka’s determination. The crowd’s support for Sabalenka played a significant role in her victory.
Gauff’s Recent Performance
Gauff, who won the US Open in 2023, had a less successful start to her season. She fell in the octafinals of Miami and Indian Wells. Her only previous encounter with Sabalenka, a victory by Gauff at the 2021 Rome tournament on clay courts, may not bode well for their upcoming clash at Roland Garros.
Granollers and Zeballos Triumph in Doubles
In the men’s doubles final, Spain’s Marcel Granollers and Argentina’s Horacio Zeballos won their second Madrid title together, defeating Salvadoran Marcelo Arevalo and Croatian Mate Pavic 6-4, 6-4. This victory marks their eleventh title and eighth in a WTA 1000 event.
Granollers and Zeballos’ Confidence Boost
Post-match, Granollers and Zeballos expressed their satisfaction with winning on home soil in one of the world’s premier tournaments. Their victory against top-ranked pairs in Madrid has bolstered their confidence as they look ahead to future competitions.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who won the Madrid tournament? Aryna Sabalenka won her third Madrid tournament title by defeating Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
- Who is Iga Swiatek and why is Sabalenka’s victory relevant to her? Iga Swiatek is the reigning Roland Garros champion and current WTA world number one. Sabalenka’s victory puts pressure on Swiatek ahead of the upcoming Roland Garros tournament, where Sabalenka has yet to win.
- What are Sabalenka’s recent achievements? Sabalenka has won the Miami tournament, reached finals at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, and now secured her third Madrid title.
- How did Gauff perform in the final? Despite an initial comeback, Gauff couldn’t overcome Sabalenka’s strong play, losing the match 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
- Who won the men’s doubles final in Madrid? Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina won their second Madrid doubles title together, defeating Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic 6-4, 6-4.
