Sabalenka ousts Svitolina to reach fourth Madrid Open final

Aryna Sabalenka will face Coco Gauff in a blockbuster Madrid Open final after the top seed downed Elina Svitolina in straight sets.

Sabalenka, a runner-up to Iga Swiatek last year, defeated Svitolina 6-3 7-5 on Thursday to tee up a mouth-watering tussle with world number four Gauff.

Svitolina went into the clash unbeaten in nine clay-court matches this season, but the Ukrainian's run was halted in a little over 90 minutes.

The world number sealed her victory on serve, sending a backhand across the court, which Svitolina could only hook out of the bounds in return.

Sabalenka is now 22-4 at the Madrid Open, which she won in 2021 and 2023, and Saturday's clash with Gauff will mark her fourth appearance in the event's showpiece match.

6 - Aryna Sabalenka is the first player to reach six WTA-level finals in the first four months of a season (start of tournament) since Martina Hingis in 2001. Form. #MMOPEN | @MutuaMadridOpen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/KDtBvFhF4L
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) May 1, 2025

Data Debrief: Thirty up

Sabalenka has now won 30 main-draw matches at WTA events in 2025, becoming the first player on the Tour to hit that mark this season.

She is also the first player to reach six WTA-level finals in the first four months of a season since Martina Hingis in 2001.

And no other woman has reached the Madrid Open final on more occasions than Sabalenka, who has drawn level with Simona Halep's record of four.