A star-studded final in the Madrid Open did not disappoint. The top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka defeated No. 4 Coco Gauff in straight sets: 6-3, 7-6. After dropping the first set in 35 minutes, Gauff battled back and had opportunities to win the 64-minute second set.

It figured to be more of the same at the start of Madrid. Dayana Yastrameska of Ukraine bageled her in the first set of their opening match, 6-0. Gauff managed to steady herself and survive that day, though it was dicey to the end, with Gauff failing to serve out the match on her first attempt.

(Reuters) -World number one Aryna Sabalenka overcame a second-set fightback by fourth seed Coco Gauff to secure a 6-3 7-6(3) win and clinch her third Madrid Open on Saturday as the three-times major winner claimed her third title this year on the WTA tour.