‘Aggressive’ Coco Gauff banishes unwanted Iga Swiatek record to leave opponent in tears with Madrid Open destruction
Coco Gauff put her miserable past against Iga Swiatek on clay behind her to reach a first-ever Madrid Open final.
The American world No.4 had lost all five of their meetings on the surface but dominated from the off in a devastating performance that saw an emotional Swiatek break down.
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Taking the first set 6-1, Gauff kept her foot on the gas and didn't give the Polish No.2 seed a second's rest as she repeated the feat in the second.
It his her first singles final on clay since 2022 and marks a return to form for the 21-year-old, who has struggled since winning the WTA Finals in November.
"The mentality I had the whole match, I was aggressive, played with margin. Maybe it wasn’t her best level, but I think I forced her into some awkward positions.
"At any moment, she can come back and play great tennis, so for me it was making sure my level stayed the same, and actually raising it in the second set.
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"I'm having a great time in Madrid, happy to be back on this court and to be through to my first final here."
Before today's win, Gauff was 0-10 in sets played against Swiatek on clay. She will play the winner of world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka's clash against Elina Svitolina in the final.
Both would provide a stern test but the 2023 US Open champion is playing some of her best tennis.
She brushed aside Russian Mirra Andreeva to reach the last four for the first time.
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After that match, her on-court interview was plunged into silence when the power cuts across Spain and Portugal abandoned play for the day.
"I was stuck here! The traffic lights weren't working and the transportation were telling us it wasn't safe.
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"Once the police got on the road to direct traffic it took two hours to go four miles and then we got out and walked the last mile.
"The day went pretty fast between waiting here, spending the day in the dark and then around 9pm the power came on - but then it was time to turn off the lights and go to sleep."
The walk clearly did Gauff the world of good and she continues to light up the court in Spain.
An emotional Swiatek, meanwhile, put a towel over her head after defeat.
As Gauff alluded to, the Polish ace has not been on top form this week amid struggles with injury and fatigue in 2025.
A video of her emotional reaction to the defeat was shared on X and well-wishers flooded the comments.
"Hey @iga_swiatek keep your head up. Like millions of other people I love watching you play. Not your day today, but you inspire so many and you’ll be back stronger than ever," wrote fellow pro Casper Ruud.
"I hate to see any of the players get this upset. It's heartbreaking to see," added a fan.
"Iga, we are with you," said another.
Gauff is uncharted territory in Madrid and can now get some recovery time in while she waits to see who will be on the other side of the net.
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Whatever happens, she will fancy a decent run at the French Open.
Her previous best was a trip to the final in 2022.
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