The 2025 Mutua Madrid Open culminates in a highly anticipated women’s final between World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and World No. 4 Coco Gauff. Both players have demonstrated exceptional form on the clay courts of Madrid, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.
Coco Gauff’s dominant run
Gauff’s journey to the final has been marked by resilience and dominance. After a challenging start against Dayana Yastremska, where she lost the first set 0–6, Gauff rebounded to win in three sets. She then secured straight-set victories over Ann Li, Belinda Bencic, and Mirra Andreeva. In the semifinals, Gauff delivered a commanding performance against defending champion Iga Swiatek, winning 6–1, 6–1 in just 64 minutes. Reflecting on her semifinal victory, Gauff stated, “I felt really good on the court today. My aggressive approach paid off, and I managed to keep Iga under constant pressure.”
Aryna Sabalenka’s consistent excellence
Sabalenka has showcased her trademark power and consistency throughout the tournament. She advanced to the final with straight-set wins over Elise Mertens, Marta Kostyuk, and Elina Svitolina. In her semifinal match against Svitolina, Sabalenka prevailed 6–3, 7–5, demonstrating her ability to navigate tight situations with composure. The World No1 aims to capture her third Madrid Open title, having previously won in 2021 and 2023 and finishing runner-up in 2024. A victory would further solidify her position atop the WTA rankings.
Head-to-head: Gauff leads 5–4
In their previous nine encounters, Gauff holds a slight edge with a 5–4 record over Sabalenka. Notably, Gauff won their most recent meeting at the 2024 WTA Finals in straight sets. Their only prior clay-court match occurred at the 2021 Italian Open in Rome, where Gauff also emerged victorious (7-5, 6-3).
Statistical highlights
- Gauff’s semifinal performance: Won 57 of 83 points, including 18 winners and only four unforced errors. She did not face a single break point against Swiatek.
- Sabalenka’s tournament stats: Maintained a high first-serve percentage (around 57%) and aggressive baseline play, averaging over 30 winners per match en route to the final.
Final outlook
The final promises a captivating contest between Gauff’s athleticism and tactical prowess against Sabalenka’s power and experience. With both players in peak form, the match is poised to be a highlight of the 2025 tennis season. The final is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, at 12:30 p.m.