Aryna Sabalenka fights past feisty Coco Gauff to claim third Madrid Open title
No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka beat No. 4 Coco Gauff in straight sets to win her record-tying third Madrid Open and 20th career title on Saturday.Sabalenka powered through the first set and edged the American in a tiebreaker for 6-3, 7-6 (3) on the Caja Mgica clay court.Sabalenka added to titles in Madrid in 2021 and 2023 and equaled Petra Kvitova's tournament record. It was also Sabalenka's tour-leading third title of the year after Brisbane and Miami. She also pulled level with Gauff on head-to-head with five wins apiece.advertisement
Gauff could have risen to No. 2 with a victory. The 2023 U.S. Open champion lost only one set this week until the final. Gauff's great record in finals slipped to nine wins in 11.Sabalenka battered Gauff with her drive early on, winning 17 consecutive points during one section for a 4-1 start. When Gauff found her weakness by spreading her shots around, the former champion dug in to force a second-set tiebreaker and crush any chance of a comeback.THREE-PEAT COMPLETE @SabalenkaA captures her THIRD Madrid title!#MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/m2CUuvNQDU— wta (@WTA) May 3, 2025Sabalenka missed a championship point on a break chance in the second set, recalling her failure to convert three championship points in a loss to Iga Swiatek in last year's final. After yelling at herself for her missed opportunity, the three-time Grand Slam winner shook off her demons, settled down and finished off her tour-high 31st win of 2025.advertisementWhen Gauff's final shot hit the net, Sabalenka thrust her arms into the air.'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.'In the men's final on Sunday, Casper Ruud plays Jack Draper.Trending Reel
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Adam Scott at another US Open and headed for century mark in the majors
OAKMONT, Pa. — Adam Scott is one year away from an impressive streak that the Australian considers to be a classic glass half-full moment in golf. The U.S. Open is his 96th consecutive major championship appearance dating to the 2001 British Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. 'It sounds like a lot to have won one,' Scott said with a laugh, referring to his lone major title in the 2013 Masters. 'It would be twice as good if there was one more.' Still, he realizes he is approaching a big milestone. The PGA Championship next year, assuming he qualifies or gets an invitation, will be his 100th career major. He could make it 100 in a row if he makes it to Shinnecock Hills for next year's U.S. Open. A streak like that requires eligibility and good health. Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson only had eligibility in their favor. Woods played 46 straight majors until knee surgery after he won the 2008 U.S. Open. Mickelson played 61 in a row before he sat out the 2009 British Open as his wife was being treated for breast cancer. The record is among the most untouchable in golf — Jack Nicklaus played 146 in a row from the 1962 U.S. Open through the 2008 U.S. Open. 'Probably whenever it ends, whether it's 100 or more or less, I think it will be hard for guys to get to that number going forward,' Scott said. 'I think it's getting harder. And I think I have been a consistent player over a 25-year career. I could probably pick three troughs where my game was looking pretty ordinary and I fell outside the top 50 and I was really struggling. But over 25 years, I'd expect that of almost any player.' Scott had a few close calls in the U.S. Open. He made it through 36-hole qualifying with one shot to spare in 2018. He failed to make it through qualifying last year but became exempt at No. 61 in the world. Grayson Murray, who took his life in May 2024, was still ahead of him in the world ranking and the USGA went down one spot. Scott said Mickelson and Rory McIlroy are among the few who never went through bad spells or serious injury 'and we're talking about two of the greatest of their generation.' McIlroy's streak was interrupted when he injured his left ankle and couldn't play the 2015 British Open. Oakmont is his 39th consecutive major. For the first time since 2021, the U.S. Open is not increasing its prize money. It will be $21.5 million for the second straight year, with $4.3 million going to the winner. It remains the biggest purse of the four majors. The Masters was $21 million this year, while the PGA Championship was at $19 million. The British Open hasn't announced its total purse for next month at Royal Portrush. It was at $17 million last year. The U.S. Open purse was $12.5 million in 2020 and 2021 before making a big leap to $17.5 million in 2022 at Brookline. 'I feel comfortable that we've been a leader in moving fast and bigger,' USGA CEO Mike Whan said Wednesday. The Players Championship has a $25 million purse. The USGA and R&A get the bulk of their revenue from their Opens. They also use that money to invest back in the game, including the Women's Opens and amateur events such as the Walker Cup and Curtis Cup that several of the top stars once played. 'But at the same time, we understand. We want to be relevant,' Whan said. 'We know that this probably isn't really about the money for the person who puts it there, but at the same time, we want the money to be commensurate with the achievement. ... It's part of creating what we want to be the greatest championship in the game.' Xander Schauffele couldn't contain his laughter when he said both his drivers were tested this week and both passed the USGA limits of trampoline effect. It was no joking matter for Rory McIlroy at the PGA Championship when word got out that his driver didn't pass the test from too much use. Turns out Scottie Scheffler's driver didn't pass for the same reason, and they had to get new drivers. The results are supposed to be confidential. The post on McIlroy's driver was published without any context — the random testing at every major, and the service being done for players who otherwise would be unaware when the faces of the drivers become too thin from constant strikes. Whan said he felt stronger than ever to keep results private 'In terms of what happened at the PGA Championship, it made us more committed to not wanting to have this be the topic of the town,' Whan said "Because I think when you talked about a rules violation or somebody who's playing with a hot driver, that gets so much more sensational than the reality. 'I can tell you as a rules body, if we had concern about this incredible advantage, we would change the degree in which we test,' he said 'But we think the testing that we're doing now is commensurate with the size of both the issue and the size of the reality of the issue.' The Pittsburgh area had one of the wettest Mays in history, not ideal for a U.S. Open that would prefer Oakmont to be firm, fast and scary. But it's not just the golf course. It can turn into a sloppy mess outside the ropes, and for some of the lots the U.S. Open is using for parking. That's why Whan was quick to celebrate Thomas Construction, a local company that has supplied gravel to create paths in walkways and parking lots. 'He no longer has gravel — true story — and he's only had one customer in the last 60 days — us,' Whan said. 'Suffice it to say, he told us there's more gravel here than in the quarry right now. And I apologize to all you members. Good news is it's outside of the rope lines.' golf: /hub/golf
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Scheffler set for ‘hardest' test at Oakmont for US Open
World number one Scottie Scheffler said Wednesday the formidable Oakmont course could provide "the hardest" challenge of his career at the 125th US Open this week. Lightning-fast sloped greens combined with deep, dense rough and bunkers designed to leave balls along the edges had many players calling it the toughest layout they have faced as Oakmont hosts a record 10th US Open. "This is probably the hardest golf course that we'll play, maybe ever," said Scheffler, who won last month's PGA Championship for his third major title, ahead of Thursday's opening round. Second-ranked Rory McIlroy, who won the Masters in April to complete a career Grand Slam, called Oakmont a "big brute" and added: "You're going to have to have your wits about you this week all the way." Not since American Jordan Spieth captured the 2015 Masters and US Open has anyone won consecutive majors, but two-time Masters winner Scheffler is on a hot streak. Scheffler has won three of his past four starts, matching a PGA Tour record for low 72-hole total to take the Byron Nelson and defending his Memorial title 10 days ago in addition to his major triumph. "He's in the middle of every fairway," third-ranked Xander Schauffele said of Scheffler. "It takes a serious amount of discipline to play away from pins and hit really good shots to safe targets, and that's what it takes to play well at US Opens." Three-time major winner Spieth said most players will pitch onto fairways from the thick rough rather than try to blast out short of the green. "It magnifies once you make a mistake if you don't play the right shot," Spieth said. "It may cost you half a shot to get back in the fairway a little further up. "They give you more green here to entice you into doing more than you should. There's some risk-reward on this place. You've got to avoid compounding mistakes for sure." Finding the fairway is crucial, McIlroy said. "Decent lies in the rough are few and far between," McIlroy said. "You don't want to ride your luck on this golf course. "You hit the ball in the rough and you're not going to have any control of your ball going into the green, especially these greens that are pitched away from you. "You have to be able to spin the ball going into these greens if you want it to finish anywhere close to where you want." 'There was no loft' And sometimes the rough just wins. "I had some lies that were not playable," fourth-ranked Collin Morikawa said of his time in the rough during practice rounds. "There was no loft." Scheffler, who turns 29 the Saturday after the tournament, made his major debut at Oakmont at the 2016 US Open, missing the cut as a 19-year-old amateur with his older sister Callie serving as his caddie. One year later, Scheffler was low amateur at the US Open and five years after that, he was a Masters champion. "I remember coming here and thinking it was really fun, really cool to be able to play in the US Open," Scheffler said. "But what I really remembered was coming back the next year and ... finishing low am." Scheffler also recalled rushing off the course to watch game six of the 2016 NBA Finals, when LeBron James led Cleveland to victory on the way to taking the title over Stephen Curry and Golden State. "This year's finals is probably not going to affect my schedule as much," Scheffler said. "Golden State was playing Cleveland and I really wanted to watch that because you had LeBron playing Steph." The devoted Dallas Mavericks fan has struggled since his team traded star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. "Ever since the Mavs traded Luka, I've been a little bummed watching the NBA. Hurts a little bit still," he said. "We'll have to regroup and get ready for next season for the Mavs."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont: Everything you need to know
The 125th U.S. Open Championship is set to take place at Oakmont Country Club from June 12-15, 2025. Golf's top players will compete on the notoriously difficult course. Key contenders include Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau. Comprehensive broadcast coverage will be available on NBC, USA Network, and streaming platforms. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tournament Overview Dates: June 12–15, 2025 Venue: Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, Pennsylvania Format: 72-hole stroke play Field: 156 golfers, cut to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes Significance: 125th edition of the U.S. Open, one of golf's four major Key Players to Watch Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1, who has been in sensational form this season. Scheffler recently won the PGA Championship and is aiming for his third major title this year, a feat that would place him among the game's all-time greats. Rory McIlroy, World No. 2, who completed his career Grand Slam earlier this year at the Masters. McIlroy has three wins this season and is hungry to add a sixth major to his resume. Bryson DeChambeau, the defending U.S. Open champion and two-time winner of this major, is eager to defend his title on this notoriously difficult course. How to watch Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads On Thursday, USA Network will provide exclusive television coverage throughout the day, with Peacock streaming late-round coverage and featured groups. Friday will see NBC take over with main coverage, while Peacock continues streaming featured groups and late coverage. During the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), NBC will deliver the primary broadcast coverage, with USA Network providing early coverage on both days. Peacock will stream featured groups and additional content throughout the weekend. Storylines to Follow Scottie Scheffler's quest for a third major this season could cement his status as golf's dominant player. Rory McIlroy's pursuit of a sixth major title would tie him with Phil Mickelson, adding historical significance. Bryson DeChambeau's title defense on a course that has challenged even the best. Phil Mickelson's potential farewell to the U.S. Open stage, as he chases the elusive career Grand Slam one last time. The 125th U.S. Open Championship is underway from June 12 to June 15, 2025, at the iconic Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. This major golf championship brings together the world's top players for one of the sport's most grueling and prestigious Country Club is widely regarded as one of the toughest courses in the world, famous for its lightning-fast greens, punishing rough, and demanding layout. For the 2025 U.S. Open , Oakmont is set up as a par 70 course stretching 7,342 yards. The course features long par 4s, a challenging 632-yard par 5, and several short but tricky par 3s. The rough is notoriously thick and penal, making accuracy off the tee and precision on approach shots critical for field is stacked with elite talent, including:Other notable contenders include Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas. Additionally, Phil Mickelson, a six-time U.S. Open runner-up, may be making his final appearance at this championship, adding an emotional storyline to the 2025 U.S. Open will feature the most comprehensive broadcast coverage in the tournament's history. NBC and USA Network are the official broadcasters, offering nearly 300 hours of those who prefer streaming, the official U.S. Open website and the USGA app will offer live streams, featured group coverage, and highlights, ensuring fans can follow the action from compelling narratives are shaping this year's U.S. Open:The 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont promises to be a thrilling and historic event. With a challenging course, a star-studded field, and unparalleled broadcast coverage, golf enthusiasts are in for an unforgettable four days of world-class competition. Whether you're watching on TV or streaming online, this championship is not to be missed.
