Coco Gauff is having one of her best campaigns of the 2025 season in Madrid, as she booked her place in the final. The American produced a dominant performance to beat defending champion Iga Świątek 6-1, 6-1, and reach her third WTA 1000 singles final.
She also reached a unique milestone with her semifinal victory over the Pole, prompting an appreciative response from her mother, Candi Gauff.
Coco Gauff’s Mother Candi Reacted With a Laudatory Message to 21-year-old’s Madrid Open SF Win
Although Świątek started well by winning the match’s opening game, Gauff took control by winning 12 of the next 13 games. The American, who finished with six aces, only lost two points on her first serve, thus making things a lot easier, akin to her previous contest against Mirra Andreeva.
The match saw the 21-year-old produce 18 winners against just four unforced errors, while Świątek managed only seven winners and committed 21 unforced errors. Gauff eventually won the match 6-1, 6-1, marking her third straight win against the Pole.
At just 21 years and 39 days old, the World No. 4 is now the third-youngest player to reach the final in WTA 1000 events on both clay and hard courts since the format was revamped in 2009. Moreover, she became the second-youngest finalist at the Madrid Open since 2009.
The 2023 US Open champion’s mother, Candi, who often celebrates her daughter’s achievements online, reshared WTA’s Instagram post on her story, highlighting this particular stat.
The last time Iga Świątek won two or fewer games in a match on any surface was at the 2019 Rothesay Classic in Birmingham, where she suffered a 0-6, 2-6 defeat to Jelena Ostapenko in the opening round.
MORE: Coco Gauff’s Wins Against Iga Świątek ‘Not Relevant’ Ahead of Madrid Open Clash, Claims Andy Roddick
Coco Gauff Reveals How Her Mentality Helped Her Overcome Iga Świątek in the Madrid Open SF
Speaking in her post-match on-court interview, Gauff stated that she played aggressively throughout the match, noting that the Pole didn’t play according to her true standards.
“I think the mentality that I had the whole match. I was aggressive and played with margin. Maybe it wasn’t her best level. For me, it was just making sure my level stayed the same. In the second, I raised it,” she said.
Notably, Świątek has lost her last three matches against Gauff, with the American beating her in the WTA Finals, the United Cup, and most recently, the Madrid Open. However, the Pole still has a massive 11-4 lead over her in their head-to-head.
Gauff will next face current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final, marking their 10th encounter. She currently holds a 5-4 head-to-head advantage over the Belarusian and won their last match, which came in the semifinals of the WTA Finals.