05/04/25 03:08:00
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05/04 15:02 CDT Gauff taking a lot of positives from her performance in Madrid
despite loss to Sabalenka in final
Gauff taking a lot of positives from her performance in Madrid despite loss to
Sabalenka in final
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) --- Coco Gauff got past the disappointment of losing the Madrid
Open final to Aryna Sabalenka and was celebrating a solid week that will make
her the top-ranked American woman on Monday.
The 21-year-old Gauff is set to reach No. 3 in the world, moving past
countrywoman Jessica Pegula.
"Overall there's a lot of positives to take," Gauff said. "Obviously
disappointed with maybe how I played (in the final). I feel like I could have
showed up better. But I went from an 0-6 set in the first round and made it to
the final, so happy with that. Obviously hoping for more next time."
Gauff lost in straight sets --- 6-3, 7-6 (3) --- to the top-ranked Sabalenka on
Saturday. She had started her campaign by rallying to a 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory
over Dayana Yastremska, then picked up straight-set wins over Ann Li, Belinda
Bencic, Mirra Andreeva and second-ranked Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. Gauff
overpowered Swiatek in a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory.
"Speaking on the week as a whole, on the ground I think today was like the only
day where I felt really tested, and obviously in my first round, too," Gauff
said after the final. "So there's a lot of positives to take, and I think
especially coming maybe from the last few weeks where I didn't feel as
confident on the ground, I think it is a step in the right direction, and just
trying to look at the positives of it all. I don't like losing, first final
loss since the French Open, so it's a feeling that I know I don't like."
It was only the second loss in a WTA tour final for Gauff, with the other
coming against Swiatek at the 2022 French Open.
"I hate losing a lot, and especially in finals, because it's like you're so
close," Gauff said. "But obviously if I can lose this and go a few more finals
undefeated I'll take that. Each time it's a learning experience, and maybe I
needed to feel this loss again to be motivated again, even more motivated for
the next one."
The 2023 U.S. Open champion squandered a set point at 5-4 in the second set in
the final against Sabalenka in Madrid. She lost 17 points in a row at one stage
in the first set on the Caja Magica center court. Gauff had four more winners
than Sabalenka, but also seven more unforced errors.
"My first serve has been such a weapon this week, so just wish I could have
served better (in the final)," Gauff said.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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