Coco Gauff stuns Iga Swiatek to reach Madrid Open Final
Coco Gauff produced one of the most dominant performances of her career on Thursday, dismantling World No. 2 Iga Świątek 6-1, 6-1 to book her place in the 2025 Madrid Open final. The 21-year-old American overwhelmed the three-time French Open champion with relentless aggression and precise execution, marking a turning point in her 2025 season.
Gauff, ranked No. 4 in the world, has struggled with consistency this year, but her semifinal victory over clay-court queen Świątek is her first over the Pole on clay and signals a massive confidence boost ahead of Roland-Garros.
“The mentality that I had in the whole match was aggressive,” Gauff said. “Maybe it wasn't her best level today, but I think I forced her into some awkward positions.”
Swiatek, who has not advanced past a WTA semifinal since lifting the 2024 French Open, admitted to not being at her best:
“I didn't really move well… It was pretty bad.”
The shocking loss for Świątek raises concerns ahead of the French Open, where she is the three-time defending champion. Meanwhile, Gauff — a finalist in Paris in 2022 — now faces World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s Madrid Open final, a potential preview of more clashes to come this clay season.
Key Takeaways:
- Gauff defeats Świątek for the first time on clay.
- Świątek’s clay-court dominance continues to falter ahead of Roland-Garros.
- Gauff will face Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid Open final.
- This marks Gauff’s first WTA 1000 final since the 2023 Cincinnati Open.
Next Up:
- Madrid Open Final: Coco Gauff vs Aryna Sabalenka
- Roland-Garros begins May 25
SportsLigue