It figured to be more of the same at the start of Madrid. Dayana Yastremska 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.

Aryna Sabalenka started off her winner's speech by congratulating Coco Gauff before expressing her desire to meet the American many more times on the biggest stage. On Saturday, the top-ranked Belarusian overcame the fourth-seeded American 6-3 7-6 (3) to win her third Madrid title.