Coco Gauff produced a stunning display to thrash four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 and reach the final of the Madrid Open. Gauff, 21, had never beaten her Polish opponent on clay before but took just 64 minutes to dispatch the world number two at the Caja Mágica.
In a match that showcased Gauff's aggressive style and remarkable control, the American hit seven aces and won 19 of 21 points on her first serve. The reigning US Open champion's performance was a stark contrast to that of Swiatek, who had won nine consecutive matches in Madrid and 15 of her last 16 going back to her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in the 2023 final.
Gauff will now face either world number one Aryna Sabalenka or Ukraine's Elina Svitolina in the final, marking her first appearance in a WTA 1000 singles final on clay. “I was aggressive and played with margin. Maybe it wasn't her best level,” Gauff reflected in her on-court interview. “But I think I forced her into some awkward positions.”
The match began with Gauff establishing her dominance early, breaking Swiatek's serve three times in the first set. Gauff's aggressive play resulted in 11 winners, while Swiatek struggled to find her rhythm, accumulating nearly 30 unforced errors throughout the match.
Swiatek, who had previously dominated Gauff in their encounters, was visibly frustrated as the match progressed. At one point during the second set, she was seen draping a towel over her head during a changeover, wiping tears from her eyes as she contemplated her performance. This defeat marked Swiatek's worst loss on clay since 2019, when she was defeated 6-1, 6-0 by Simona Halep at the French Open.
Despite her struggles, Swiatek has had a strong season overall, reaching at least the quarterfinals in every tournament she has played. However, she has yet to reach a final in 2025, with her last two clay tournaments ending in disappointment.
For Gauff, this victory is a significant milestone in her career. After losing her first seven matches to Swiatek and trailing their head-to-head 11-1, she has now won three consecutive matches against the Polish star since the end of 2024. Gauff’s recent form has seen her defeat top-ranked opponents, including Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals.
As the final approaches, Gauff will look to build on this momentum. “I felt great out here on the court today,” she said post-match, acknowledging her growth on clay. “I honestly think clay is one of my better surfaces, so I felt that if I can beat her on hard [courts], then I can beat her on clay.”
The final of the Madrid Open is set for Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., where Gauff will aim for her 10th career singles title against either Sabalenka or Svitolina. With her confidence soaring, Gauff is ready to take on the challenge, while Swiatek will need to regroup quickly as she heads to the Italian Open in Rome, where she is the defending champion.
This match not only highlights Gauff's impressive growth as a player but also raises questions about Swiatek's current form and mental state heading into the French Open later this month. As they both prepare for their next challenges, the tennis world will be watching closely.
