Gauff, who had won five of their previous nine meetings, served for the set at 5-4, but Sabalenka finally took her fifth chance to break back, saving a set point and seeing the funny side when she dropped her racket in the middle of one rally.
Gauff, serving at 5-6, then saved a match point with a brave second serve, but Sabalenka forged ahead again in the tie-break and was handed the title on her second match point thanks to a double fault from her opponent.
“I’m super happy that I was able to handle my emotions at the end of the second set,” Sabalenka told the Tennis Channel after the match. “It was really intense and it was a real fight over there. I’m very happy I was able to close this match in two sets.”
Gauff said: “I’d like to congratulate Aryna on an incredible tournament. You’re always tough to face. Congrats to your team. Congrats on all the success you’ve been having.”
Aryna Sabalenka seals Madrid Open hat-trick by dismantling Gauff
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