![Aryna Sabalenka [PHOTO: TW @SabalenkaA]](https://i0.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2023/06/Aryna-Sabalenka-e1685970927157.jpg?fit=680%2C392&ssl=1)
World number one Aryna Sabalenka overcame a second-set fightback by fourth seed Coco Gauff to secure a 6-3 7-6 (3) win and clinch her third Madrid Open on Saturday.
The victory for Sabalenka meant the three-time major winner claimed her third title this year on the WTA tour.
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Sabalenka, who has played the last three finals of the WTA 1000 tournament, equalled Petra Kvitova’s record haul of three Madrid Open titles.
She also caught up with Gauff in head-to-head, with five wins apiece after 10 meetings.
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“I always enjoy fighting against you, you’re such a fighter,” Sabalenka told Gauff at the presentation ceremony,” she said.
This was after she won her sixth straight match against top-10 ranked opponents this year without dropping a set.
“I’m super happy I was able to win this year.”
A dominant Sabalenka won four games straight without conceding a point to build a 4-1 lead in the first set.
Although former U.S. Open champion Gauff battled back with a break to make it 4-2, the Belarusian secured the set with another break.
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Gauff broke Sabalenka to go 2-1 up in the second set and held under pressure to build a 5-3 lead.
But Gauff’s double faults while serving for the set allowed Sabalenka to break back and make it 5-5 before winning the title in a tiebreak.
“Incredible tournament, you’re always tough to face… congratulations on all the success that you’re having,” Gauff told Sabalenka.
“Hopefully, I can be back in this position next year.”
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