MADRID – Alina Sabalenka defeated Cocogoff in straight sets to win the record-breaking third Madrid Open on Saturday.
No. 1 rank Sabalenka sprinted through the first set and edged the Americans with tiebreakers 6-3, 7-6 (3) at the outdoor clay court.
Sabalenka was added to the Madrid titles in 2021 and 2023, comparable to Petra Kvitova’s tournament record. It was also Sabalenka’s third title in the season after Brisbane and Miami and her career 20th place. She also leveled head-to-head with five wins at Gauff.
Goff, who was fourth, could have risen to second place in the victory. The 2023 US Open champions only lost one set until the final this week. Goff’s record in the final was 11 to nine wins.
Sabalenka hit Gouf on the drive early. When Goff spread the shot and found her weakness, the former champion forced a tiebreaker in the second set, digging to crush the chances of a comeback.
Sabalenka remembered that he missed championship points with a break chance in the second set and didn’t convert three championship points to Iga Swiatek in last year’s final. After yelling for herself that she missed her opportunity, the winner of the three Grand Slams shook her demon, settled down, and finished the Gouf.
When Gauff’s final shot hits the net, Sabalenka pushes his arm into the air.
“It was a really tough game,” Sabalenka said. “At the end of the second set, it was really intense and I was very emotional. I’m happy to be able to handle my emotions.”