Coco Gauff delivered a spectacular performance at the 2025 Madrid Open, crushing four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 in just 64 minutes to reach the final. The 21-year-old American, who had never beaten Swiatek on clay before, completely outplayed the world number two in a dominant semi-final showing.
Gauff, who secured her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, will now face world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Sabalenka earned her spot with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Elina Svitolina, setting up a highly anticipated showdown with Gauff.
Gauff’s Dominant Display
Swiatek, the defending Madrid Open champion, came into the match on a nine-match winning streak in Madrid. However, she had no answer to Gauff’s relentless aggression. The Polish star had won 15 of her last 16 matches in the Spanish capital but was outclassed by Gauff’s powerful serving and aggressive baseline play.
Gauff fired seven aces and won 19 of 21 points on her first serve, controlling the match from the outset. After the match, Gauff reflected on her performance:
“I was aggressive and played with margin. Maybe it wasn’t her best level,” she said in her on-court interview. “But I felt great out here on the court today, much different to my first match here in the first round.”
Gauff’s Confidence on Clay
The American’s victory marks her first-ever win over Swiatek on clay. While Gauff had struggled against the Polish star on this surface in the past, she believes her game suits clay more than people realize:
“Obviously on clay, she’s a different player, but clay is one of my better surfaces too,” Gauff added. “I thought if I can beat her on hard, I can beat her on clay.”
With the win, Gauff continues her impressive 2025 season and will look to claim her second career WTA 1000 title in the Madrid final against Sabalenka.
Sabalenka Seeks Another Major Title
Sabalenka, fresh off her victory at the 2024 Australian Open, will be a formidable opponent for Gauff. The Belarusian’s strong serve and aggressive game have made her a force on every surface. The Madrid Open final between Gauff and Sabalenka promises to be an exciting battle between two of the WTA’s most powerful players.
