Aryna Sabalenka denies Coco Gauff rankings breakthrough after Madrid Open win

Reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka produced a stunning fightback to beat Elena Rybakina in a sensational Madrid Open semi-final, which ended Coco Gauff’s hopes of climbing to No 2 in the WTA Rankings for the first time.

Sabalenka needed to reach another final in Madrid to deny Gauff a rise in the rankings and that seemed unlikely as Ryabkina stormed to the first set 6-1 and was a break up in the second as she closed in on victory.

Rybakina served for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but a battling Sabalenka would not surrender and she fought back to secure a 1-6 7-5 7-6 (5) victory.
The quality of her tennis in the third set tie-break was simply sublime and she is relishing a match against world No 1 Iga Swiatek in the final.

“Definitely going to be a great battle,” said Sabalenka ahead of her latest showdown with Siwatek.

“We’re always fighting as hard as we can. It’s always incredible matches. I’m really looking forward to this final. I’m gonna do everything I can to get this win”