Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff of the US pose with the winners and runners up trophies after the ladies’s singles remaining. — Reuters
World primary Aryna Sabalenka overcame a second-set fightback by fourth seed Coco Gauff to safe a 6-3 7-6(3) win and clinch her third Madrid Open on Saturday because the three-times main winner claimed her third title this yr on the WTA tour.
Sabalenka, who has performed the final three finals of the WTA 1000 event, equalled Petra Kvitova’s report haul of three Madrid Open titles. She additionally caught up with Gauff in head-to-head, with 5 wins apiece after 10 conferences.
“I always enjoy fighting against you, you’re such a fighter,” Sabalenka instructed Gauff on the presentation ceremony after she received her sixth straight match in opposition to top-10 ranked opponents this yr with out dropping a set.
“I’m super happy I was able to win this year.”
A dominant Sabalenka received 4 video games straight with out conceding a degree to construct a 4-1 lead within the first set. Though former US Open champion Gauff battled again with a break to make it 4-2, the Belarusian secured the set with one other break.
Gauff broke Sabalenka to go 2-1 up within the second set and held beneath stress to construct a 5-3 lead. However Gauff’s double faults whereas serving for the set allowed Sabalenka to interrupt again and make it 5-5 earlier than successful the title in a tiebreak.
“Incredible tournament, you’re always tough to face… congratulations on all the success that you’re having,” Gauff instructed Sabalenka.
“Hopefully I can be back in this position next year.”
