Sabalenka downs Gauff in Madrid for third 2025 crown
Aryna Sabalenka has defeated Coco Gauff to annex her third big title of the season at the Madrid Open.
The world No.1 won 17 points in a row early in the contest in a show of real dominance but then had to save a set point in the second set on her way to a 6-3 7-6 (7-3) victory at the Caja Magica on Saturday.
It is a third title in the Spanish capital for Sabalenka, who lifted the trophy in 2021 and 2023 before losing to Iga Swiatek 12 months ago.
"It was a really tough match," Sabalenka said. "At the end of the second set it was really intense and I was very emotional. I am happy I was able to handle my emotions."
The Belarusian now has a lead of more than 4000 points over her stuttering rival in the rankings, although the result does mean Swiatek stays ahead of Gauff at No.2.
Sabalenka adds the Madrid crown to titles she won in Miami and Brisbane, with her superb consistency meaning she's reached the final in six of the eight tournaments she has played so far in 2025.
Gauff has hit form again too after a difficult spell but looked helpless as Sabalenka reeled off her remarkable sequence of 17 points in a row to lead 4-1.
Incredible from Coco 👏@CocoGauff | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/wmfrxC7RuS
— wta (@WTA) May 3, 2025
The American regained her composure and, although she could not salvage the first set, she broke serve to lead 2-1 in the second.
Gauff, who had won five of their previous nine meetings, served for the set at 5-4, but Sabalenka finally took her fifth chance to break back, saving a set point and seeing the funny side when she dropped her racket in the middle of one rally.
Gauff then saved a match point serving at 5-6 with a brave second serve, but Sabalenka forged ahead again in the tie-break and was handed the title on her second match point thanks to a double fault from her opponent.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
32 minutes ago
- Newsweek
How to Buy Inter Miami vs Al Ahly Tickets: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Discount Promo Code
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take part in their first match of the 2025 FIFA World Cup on Saturday against Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium, and you can claim a seat by purchasing tickets now. Shop: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly FIFA Club World Cup Tickets Soccer Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami in action against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami in action against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Messi is one of the most popular athletes in the world, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience seeing him play live. His club is one of the many great teams competing in this summer's 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and they open up their tournament campaign against Al Ahly. The Club World Cup is sure to be a massive draw for soccer fans across the country and the rest of the world, as the top clubs in the world compete in this high-level tournament. Shop: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly FIFA Club World Cup Tickets For the first time, the United States has the honor of being the host country in what is now an expanded 32-team field. Matches will run all the way until July 13th, with games taking place in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Seattle, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Orlando, Cincinnati, Washington D.C., Charlotte, and Nashville. This is an excellent opportunity for fans in the United States to catch their favorite club teams and players in action. We don't get the chance very often in the States to see players like Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid, Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland of Manchester City, and Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain play live, so you'll want to make sure not to miss out. Click on any of the links to order your tickets to Inter Miami vs Al Ahly or any other matches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Shop: FIFA Club World Cup Tickets Vivid Seats Promo Code Use promo code NEWSWEEK20 to get $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200 or more (before taxes and fees). Offer valid for new customers only. Soccer Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe runs for the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 24, 2025. Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe runs for the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 24, 2025. OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Schedule Saturday, 14 June Group A: Al Ahly FC v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 20:00 Sunday, 15 June Group C: FC Bayern München v Auckland City FC - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 12:00 Group B: Paris Saint-Germain v Atlético de Madrid - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 12:00 Group A: SE Palmeiras v FC Porto - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 18:00 Group B: Botafogo v Seattle Sounders FC - Lumen Field, Seattle, 19:00 Monday, 16 June Group D: Chelsea FC v LAFC - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 15:00 Group C: CA Boca Juniors v SL Benfica - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 18:00 Group D: CR Flamengo v Espérance - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Tuesday, 17 June Group F: Fluminense FC v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 12:00 Group E: CA River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group F: Ulsan HD v Mamelodi Sundowns FC - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, 18:00 Group E: CF Monterrey v FC Internazionale Milano - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Wednesday, 18 June Group G: Manchester City v Wydad AC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Group H: Real Madrid C. F. v Al Hilal - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Group H: CF Pachuca v FC Salzburg - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 18:00 Group G: Al Ain FC v Juventus FC - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 21:00 Thursday, 19 June Group A: SE Palmeiras v Al Ahly FC - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 12:00 Group A: Inter Miami CF v FC Porto - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 15:00 Group B: Seattle Sounders FC v Atlético de Madrid - Lumen Field, Seattle, 15:00 Group B: Paris Saint-Germain v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Friday, 20 June Group C: SL Benfica v Auckland City FC - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, 12:00 Group D: CR Flamengo v Chelsea FC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 14:00 Group D: LAFC v Espérance - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 17:00 Group C: FC Bayern München v CA Boca Juniors - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 21:00 Saturday, 21 June Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC v Borussia Dortmund - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 12:00 Group E: FC Internazionale Milano v Urawa Red Diamonds - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group F: Fluminense FC v Ulsan HD - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 18:00 Group E: CA River Plate v CF Monterrey - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Sunday, 22 June Group G: Juventus FC v Wydad AC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Group H: Real Madrid C. F. v CF Pachuca - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Group H: FC Salzburg v Al Hilal - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 18:00 Group G: Manchester City v Al Ain FC - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 21:00 Monday, 23 June Group B: Seattle Sounders FC v Paris Saint-Germain - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group B: Atlético de Madrid v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 12:00 Group A: Inter Miami CF v SE Palmeiras - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 21:00 Group A: FC Porto v Al Ahly FC - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 21:00 Tuesday, 24 June Group C: Auckland City FC v CA Boca Juniors - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 14:00 Group C: SL Benfica v FC Bayern München - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Group D: LAFC v CR Flamengo - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 21:00 Group D: Espérance v Chelsea FC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Wednesday, 25 June Group F: Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan HD - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 15:00 Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC v Fluminense FC - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Group E: FC Internazionale Milano v CA River Plate - Lumen Field, Seattle, 18:00 Group E: Urawa Red Diamonds v CF Monterrey - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Thursday, 26 June Group G: Juventus FC v Manchester City - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 15:00 Group G: Wydad AC v Al Ain FC - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 15:00 Group H: Al Hilal v CF Pachuca - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 20:00 Group H: FC Salzburg v Real Madrid C. F. - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Round of 16 fixtures Saturday, 28 June Match 49: Group A winners v Group B runners-up - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Match 50: Group C winners v Group D runners-up - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 16:00 Sunday, 29 June Match 51: Group B winners v Group A runners-up - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 12:00 Match 52: Group D winners v Group C runners-up - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 16:00 Monday, 30 June Match 53: Group E winners v Group F runners-up - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Match 54: Group G winners v Group H runners-up - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 21:00 Tuesday, 1 July Match 55: Group H winners v Group G runners-up - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Match 56: Group F winners v Group E runners-up - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 21:00 Quarter-final fixtures Friday, 4 July Match 57: Winner match 53 v Winner match 54 - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 15:00 Match 58: Winner match 49 v Winner match 50 - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Saturday, 5 July Match 59: Winner match 51 v Winner match 52 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 12:00 Match 60: Winner match 55 v Winner match 56 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 16:00 Semi-final fixtures Tuesday, 8 July Match 61: Winner match 57 v Winner match 58 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 Wednesday, 9 July Match 62: Winner match 59 v Winner match 60 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 FIFA Club World Cup Final Sunday, 13 July Match 63: Winner match 61 v Winner match 62 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 Shop: FIFA Club World Cup Tickets If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.


New York Post
38 minutes ago
- New York Post
Pope Leo XIV rocks White Sox hat at the Vatican in new photos
Pope Leo XIV brought his White Sox fandom to the Vatican on Wednesday. While holding a general audience in St. Peter's Square, the Chicago-bred pontiff was photographed wearing a black White Sox cap as he greeted onlookers, including a bride and groom who appeared to be fellow fans of the AL Central club. Pope Leo XIV's sports allegiances were thrust into the spotlight in May when he made history after being elected the first American pope. He succeeded Pope Francis, who died in April at the age of 88 after a lengthy battle with double pneumonia. 6 Pope Leo XIV was seen wearing a Chicago White Sox hat at the Vatican on June 11, 2025. AFP via Getty Images 6 The American-born pope greeted newlyweds in his White Sox hat. REUTERS The pope's brother, John Prevost, quickly set the record straight over which Chicago baseball team his sibling preferred amid Cubs chatter. 'He was never ever a Cubs fan, so I don't know where that came from,' Prevost told local Chicago station WGN TV. 'He was always a Sox fan. Our mother was a Cubs fan. I don't know, maybe that clued in there and our dad was a Cardinals fan, so I don't know where all that came from. 'And all the aunts, our mom's family was from the north side, so that's why they were Cubs fans.' 6 Pope Leo XIV waved to onlookers in St. Peter's Square on June 11, 2025. Getty Images 6 The pope's sports allegiances were thrust into the spotlight after he was elected. REUTERS Born Robert Francis Prevost, the Windy City native has a publicized history of supporting the White Sox, as resurfaced video showed him wearing team gear during Game 1 of the 2005 World Series against the Astros. Chicago swept Houston in four games. 6 Pope Leo XIV was elected the first American pope in May 2025. REUTERS 6 The White Sox commemorated Pope Leo XIV with a graphic at Rate Field in May 2025. AP Last month, the White Sox installed a Pope Leo XIV graphic at Rate Field in honor of their most famous fan. Beyond the White Sox, who lost a record 121 games last season, Pope Leo XIV is also a Villanova Wildcat, having graduated from the university in 1977. Knicks fans were hopeful Pope Leo's Villanova ties would fuel a championship berth with former Wildcats Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges. The Knicks ultimately lost to the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.


Fox Sports
43 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
US Open gets a peaceful day of practice ahead of tough test that awaits at Oakmont
Associated Press OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Serenity at Oakmont could be found Wednesday morning when Rory McIlroy stood on the first tee as the sun rose against a hazy sky on the horizon. He was playing with his best mate in golf, Shane Lowry, their final practice before the U.S. Open. The peace gets shattered as soon as the score starts to count. Even with Scottie Scheffler in full flight as the No. 1 player in golf, even as McIlroy tries to build on his dream moment of being the Masters champion, as Bryson DeChambeau gets a chance to see if his brawn can handle this rough, there has been one name — Oakmont — that rises above all others going into the 125th U.S. Open. 'Oakmont is relentless,' said John Bodenhamer, the chief championships officer at the USGA who sets up the course for the toughest test in golf. 'There's no letup. It's a grind. That's the U.S. Open.' It gets started on Thursday with Matt Vogt, the former Oakmont caddie now an Indiana dentist, selected to hit the opening tee shot. Jon Rahm, who won his U.S. Open four years ago at Torrey Pines, made his debut at Oakmont in 2016 when he was fresh out of Arizona State. He shot 76 on the first day, went 1-over par the rest of the way and finished as low amateur. Even with changes to the course from a restoration project, including a ditch that now meanders across the landing area in the 10th fairway, the Spanish star has a better idea what to expect. 'You're aware of what a golf tournament here is going to be like. It's going to be a challenge,' Rahm said. 'A lot of unfortunate things are going to happen. It's hard fairways to hit, bad lies, difficult bunkers, difficult greens. It's going to be a nice test, a difficult test, and I think one of the truest representations of what a U.S. Open is all about.' Dustin Johnson set the Oakmont scoring record for a U.S. Open at 276 when he won in 2016. The USGA mentioned a few other numbers that also describe Oakmont, mainly the 5-inch rough so dense at the bottom there were no guarantees a golf ball might be lost. Another number had historical context — only 27 of the 1,385 players who have competed in a major championship at Oakmont finished under par. That includes when Oakmont, now a par 70, was played as a par 71 or par 72. 'Our mantra is tough but fair,' Bodenhamer said. "And what does that mean? It's pretty simple. It's not about the score. It's about getting every club in a player's bag dirty, all 15 of them — the 14 in their bag and the one between the ears. And we work hard on that. 'And that's how we've gone about our business here at Oakmont.' The other number that stands out is 10 — the number of times the USGA has brought its marquee championship to the course built to be tough in 1903. No other course has held the U.S. Open more often. The USGA has been accused over the years of trying to protect par, which it long has denied. Johnny Miller remains the only player to win the U.S. Open with a 63 in the final round, in 1973 at Oakmont. The following year, Hale Irwin won at 7-over par in what became known as the 'Massacre at Winged Foot.' It also fed into the belief that par matters. In some respects, it does. Bodenhamer was asked what score would indicate the USGA didn't get it right. 'Interesting question,' he replied. 'Off the top of my head, something in double digits. I've said this before, we don't want 20 over to win and we don't want 20 under to win. It might be tough. It might not be tough enough. There's a number in there somewhere." Scheffler is in search of the third leg of the career Grand Slam after winning the PGA Championship by five shots at Quail Hollow last month. Scheffler has won his last three tournaments — all in a five-week stretch — by a combined 17 shots. 'What is he doing? Well, everything,' Justin Thomas said. "It's effortless. Every single aspect of his game is unbelievable. I think his mental game is better than anybody out here. To be able to play with those expectations and to stay present as often as he has to me is maybe more impressive than even the golf he's playing. 'He just doesn't make any mistakes and almost kind of lets himself be in contention versus forces himself in contention. He just seems to be playing better.' If there is a common trait among U.S. Open champions at Oakmont, strength would be on the list. Johnson won in 2016, Angel Cabrera in 2007, big Ernie Els in 1994. The first of 18 professional majors by Jack Nicklaus and those powerful legs came at Oakmont in 1962. 'I'd say there's definitely a strength factor coming out of the rough,' Scheffler said. 'I don't really know if this is a golf course you can necessarily just overpower with a bomb-and-gouge type strategy, especially with the way the rough is.' Scheffler's strength, much like Tiger Woods, is knowing where to miss and playing the angles. That works almost anywhere. Almost. 'There's not really many areas where you step on the tee box and you're like, 'Hey, I can miss it right here; hey, I can shade towards the left side of the fairway because right is really bad,'' he said. "Actually, if you hit it in the right rough, you're probably not going to get it to the green. If you hit it in the left rough, you're probably not going to get it to the green. So might as well try and split the difference there and hit it in the middle.' Sounds simple enough. It rarely is at Oakmont. And that's just the way the USGA likes it. ___ AP golf: