Coco Gauff delivered a commanding performance at the Madrid Open on Thursday, defeating defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 in a 64-minute semifinal clash. The 20-year-old American, ranked fourth globally, overpowered Swiatek with aggressive play, securing her first career clay-court victory over the Polish star.
Gauff will now face World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday's final, following the Belarusian's 6-3, 7-5 win over Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. Sabalenka, a two-time Madrid champion, ended Svitolina's 9-0 clay-court streak in 2025 and became the first player this year to reach 30 WTA main-draw wins.
"I forced her into awkward positions," Gauff said of her dominant display against Swiatek, who admitted, "I couldn't get my level up." The matchup marks a rematch of their 2024 WTA Finals meeting, which Gauff won. Sabalenka, however, holds a 3-1 lead over Gauff on clay courts.
With Gauff seeking her first Madrid title and Sabalenka eyeing a third trophy, Saturday's final promises high-stakes drama between two of tennis' most dynamic players.
