Sabalenka Wins Third Madrid Open Title, Tops Rankings

World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated fourth seed Coco Gauff in straight sets to win her third Madrid Open title, matching Petra Kvitova's record at the tournament. Sabalenka displayed dominance in the first set and resilience in the second, saving a set point before clinching victory in a tiebreak. This win marks her third title of the season and her 20th career singles title, solidifying her lead atop the WTA rankings with a points margin equivalent to a Grand Slam and a WTA 1000 event combined. Gauff, who was seeking her first title of the year, now stands even with Sabalenka in their head-to-head rivalry at five wins each. Sabalenka's performance this year, including finals at both the Australian Open and Indian Wells, underscores her remarkable consistency and status as a leading contender on the tour. The victory also brought Sabalenka a significant prize, further cementing her elite standing in women's tennis.