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Coco Gauff delivered a stunning performance to dismantle defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-1 6-1 in the semifinals of the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open, handing the world No. 2 one of the heaviest defeats of her career on clay.
Coming into the match, Swiatek led their head-to-head 11–3 and had long been a dominant force on clay. However, Gauff has now won their last three encounters, closing the gap to 11–4 and signaling a shift in this high-profile rivalry.
Swiatek started strong by winning the opening game, but from there it was all Gauff. The American went on a rampage, reeling off 11 consecutive games to take a commanding 6-1 5-0 lead. Swiatek, usually composed and clinical on clay, racked up 13 unforced errors in the first set alone—an uncharacteristically high number given the small number of games.
Ironically, just one round earlier, Swiatek had bounced back from a rare bagel set against Madison Keys to secure victory. But this time, it was she who was on the receiving end of a clay-court demolition, with Gauff dishing out a pair of breadsticks in just over an hour.
With Swiatek out, Gauff now has a golden opportunity: if she clinches the Madrid title, she will leapfrog Swiatek and claim back the world No. 2 ranking. The fourth seed’s opponent in the final will be the winner of the late night match between world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Elina Svitolina.
Marija Zivlak is the founder and editor-in-chief of Women’s Tennis Blog, a trusted source for in-depth coverage of the WTA Tour, tennis fashion, and player insights. Based in Belgrade, Serbia, she has been reporting on women’s tennis for over 18 years and has contributed exclusive fashion articles to the official WTA website.
Marija launched Women’s Tennis Blog on March 31, 2007 to provide fans with accurate, engaging, and up-to-date tennis news. Her expertise and deep connections within the sport allow her to offer unique perspectives on tennis trends, gear, and events.
