WTA Madrid: Sabalenka beats Gauff to win Madrid's third title

On May 3, local time, the 2025 WTA1000 Madrid Station came to an end. In the Women's Singles final, top seed Sabalenka defeated fourth seed Gauff 6-3, 7-6(3) to lift the trophy in Madrid for the third time in her career (2021, 2023 and 2025).

Sabalenka holds the cup

Photo: Visual China

Sabalenka and Gauff have faced each other frequently in the last two years in the deep rounds of the tournament, with the interesting news that the winners of the last four meetings have all gone on to win the tournament. In this match, Sabalenka was in a burst of form in the opening game, and she once played a wave of 17-0 scoring climax in the first set to lead 4-1; Although Gauff then found his touch and broke back, Sabalenka took the next set 6-3.

In the second set, Gauff broke serve in the third game, but her service form fluctuated in the crucial service game, and the two sides returned to the same running line in the second set after being broken. After saving match point to send the match into a tie-break, Sabalenka's strong return still left Gauff unable to parry, and finally Gauff made his eighth double fault of the game, allowing the victory to fall into Sabalenka's pocket.

Sabalenka in the game

Photo: Visual China

After the race, Sabalenka, who will celebrate her 27th birthday tomorrow (May 5), said on her social media that the championship was her best birthday present. "I think every year I'm better prepared for anything. Every time I go on the court, I fight for every point, I try to play the best tennis I can and I try to do everything possible. ”

With the victory, Sabalenka equalized the record of the first meeting with Gauff (5-5); After winning his third tour title this season, he leads the WTA alone in terms of wins (31 wins) and championships (3); Her three-time triumph in Madrid also saw her tie with Kvitova for the most titles in Madrid.

After 1,000 ranking points, Sabalenka has reached a total of 11,118 points in the world rankings, becoming only the third player in WTA history to exceed 11,000 ranking points (13,615 – Serena Williams [2013]/11,695 – Swiatek [2024]).

Sabalenka's path to victory

First round: bye

Second round: Blinkova 6-3, 6-4[Q]

Third round: 3-6/6-2/6-1 Mertens[28]

Fourth round: 6-2, 6-4 Stearns

1/4 finals: 7-6(4)/7-6(7) Kostyuk[24]

Semi-finals: Svitolina 6-3, 7-5[17]

Final: 6-3/7-6(3) Gauff[4]

In the Men's Doubles final, fifth seeds Granoles/Zeballos beat world No.1 pair Pavic/Arévalo 6-4, 6-4 to win the tournament with the top three seeds.

Granolles/Zeballos' road to the title

First round: 6-4, 6-2 Aarens/Johansen[A]

Second round: 6-4/7-6(5) Perikad/Oliveti

1/4 Finals: 7-6(3)/6-3 Paten/Heliaura [2]

Semi-finals: 7-6(6)/7-5 Kravitz/Puttez[3]

Final: 6-4, 6-4 Pavic/Arévalo[1]

ATP1000 Madrid Masters will face off in the final of the men's singles final on May 4 local time, with fifth seed Draper and 14th seed Ruud battling it out for the title of the fourth Masters of the year. Regardless of the outcome of the final, Draper will be in the top 5 for the first time in the world rankings and Ruud will return to the top 10 in the world rankings next week, with the match kicking off at 0:30 a.m. CST tomorrow. WTA1000 Women's Doubles final in Madrid will be played at 21:30 GMT tonight.

(Text and editor: Dato)