Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis prodigy, delivered a performance for the ages on May 2, 2025, dismantling world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 in the Madrid Open semifinals to secure her spot in the final. The stunning victory, which marked Gauff’s first win over Swiatek on clay and her third consecutive triumph against the Polish star, drew effusive praise from her former coach, Brad Gilbert. Gilbert, who guided Gauff to her 2023 US Open title, described the match as a masterclass, highlighting her aggressive yet precise play that left one of the game’s greatest clay-courters reeling. As Gauff prepares to face Aryna Sabalenka in the championship match, her latest milestone signals a seismic shift in women’s tennis.
The Madrid semifinal was a breathtaking display of Gauff’s evolution. Facing Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion with a 15-1 record at the Caja Magica since 2023, Gauff was expected to face a formidable challenge. Their head-to-head, though tightening, still favored Swiatek 11-3, with the Pole dominating their clay encounters, including a 6-2, 6-4 win in the 2024 Roland Garros semifinals. Yet, Gauff flipped the script, taking just 64 minutes to secure her most lopsided victory over Swiatek. “Mighty impressive effort from Coco, absolutely hammers Iga Pop for her 1st win on clay and 3rd straight win overall,” Gilbert posted on social media, his enthusiasm capturing the magnitude of the upset.
Gauff’s game plan was executed with surgical precision. She unleashed seven aces, won 19 of 21 first-serve points, and converted four of six break-point opportunities, showcasing a blend of power and tactical acumen. Her aggressive approach, tempered by smart margins, kept Swiatek on the defensive, unable to find her rhythm on a surface where she typically reigns supreme. “I was aggressive and played with margin. Maybe it wasn’t her best level,” Gauff said in her on-court interview, acknowledging Swiatek’s off-day while crediting her own focus. The American’s forehand, once a vulnerability, was a weapon, and her reworked serve, refined under new coach Matt Daly, held firm despite past struggles with double faults.[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c8x8kq1zy8yo)
Gilbert’s reaction reflects his deep understanding of Gauff’s journey. Joining her team before the 2023 US Open, he helped transform her forehand and footwork, leading to titles in Washington, Cincinnati, and Flushing Meadows. Though their partnership ended after a disappointing 2024 US Open title defense, marked by 19 double faults in a fourth-round loss, Gilbert’s influence lingers. “Good effort from Coco today, taking out Iga Pop,” he had said after her 6-3, 6-4 win over Swiatek at the 2024 WTA Finals, a match that secured Sabalenka’s year-end No. 1 ranking. His latest praise underscores Gauff’s technical refinements, particularly her ability to exploit Swiatek’s weaknesses, as noted by fans who credit Daly’s coaching for isolating those vulnerabilities.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1972542/Coco-Gauff-Iga-Swiatek-Brad-Gilbert)
The victory is a landmark for Gauff, who had never beaten Swiatek on clay and faced a daunting 1-11 head-to-head deficit before late 2024. Her back-to-back wins over Swiatek at the WTA Finals and the 2025 United Cup, both 6-4, 6-4, hinted at a turning tide, but Madrid’s rout was a statement. “I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world,” Gauff said after the United Cup, a confidence evident in Madrid. Her ability to dominate on clay, a surface less suited to her game than Swiatek’s, signals her readiness to challenge for a second Grand Slam at Roland Garros.[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/06/sport/coco-gauff-iga-swiatek-united-cup-spt-intl/index.html)
As Gauff gears up for the Madrid final against Sabalenka, whom she defeated 7-6(4), 6-3 at the 2024 WTA Finals and 6-2, 6-4 at the 2023 US Open, the tennis world is abuzz. “I felt great out here on the court today, much different to my first match,” Gauff reflected, contrasting her nervy three-set opener against Dayana Yastremska with her semifinal clinic. A win would mark her first clay title and second WTA 1000 crown, further closing the gap with Sabalenka and Swiatek in the rankings race.[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c8x8kq1zy8yo)
Gilbert’s words resonate as a nod to Gauff’s relentless growth. From a teenager overwhelmed by Swiatek’s forehand to a player who now “absolutely hammers” her on clay, Gauff is rewriting her rivalry with the Pole. With the French Open on the horizon, her Madrid masterclass has sent a clear message: Coco Gauff is not just a contender but a force poised to reshape the WTA landscape.
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