Andy Roddick and CoCo Vandeweghe predict whether Coco Gauff is going to beat Aryna Sabalenka to win the Madrid Open title

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Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka have proven themselves to be a class above in Madrid as they prepare to battle it out in the final.

World number one Sabalenka is a two-time champion in the Spanish capital, desperate to add a third in 2025, having lost to Iga Swiatek in last year’s final.

The 26-year-old made her way past two talented Ukrainians in her quarterfinal and semi-final matches, knocking out Marta Kostyuk, before Sabalenka beat Elina Svitolina to book her spot in the final.

For Gauff, her match on Saturday will be her first in a final this year, after she struggled for form during the early months of the season.

She’s been clinical in Madrid, however, producing one of the most memorable wins of her career, when Gauff stunned Iga Swiatek, 6-1, 6-1, in the semi-finals.

The match could very well go either way, as two tennis legends now make their Madrid Open final picks.

Andy Roddick and Coco Vandeweghe both predict Aryna Sabalenka will beat Coco Gauff in Madrid

Speaking on the Tennis Channel, 2018 US Open doubles champion Coco Vandeweghe predicted who she thinks will win Saturday’s final.

“I am picking Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, I just think that after that huge win that Coco [Gauff] had, there might be a bit of a letdown just because she had that huge win in the fashion that she did,” she said.

“Can she repeat? I don’t think we have seen that yet this year from Coco Gauff, and I don’t think it happens here.

“I think the conditions are just so helpful for Aryna Sabalenka, I think they accentuate her game, more so here in the altitude.”

Former world number one Andy Roddick agreed, but admitted that Gauff had already surprised him this week.

“I can’t bet against Aryna Sabalenka but we say predicting, we forget sometimes that is just guessing,” he said.

“I also would not have predicted Coco beating Iga Swiatek on clay, and I didn’t.

“She beat her 6-1, 6-1, so I guess that Sabalenka is going to win this match.”

Roddick went on to say just how impressed he’s been with Gauff recently, despite picking her Belarusian rival to come away with the win.

“She’s playing as well as she’s played all year, maybe in the last 12 months,” he said.

“I love what I’ve seen from her. The forehand, not trying to go against the grain, backhand cross, finding some space when she elevates line, I love everything she’s doing.

“But I feel like I’d be taking crazy pills to bet against Sabalenka.”

The world number one has already played in five finals this year, winning in Brisbane, before Sabalenka picked up the Miami Open title in March.

• 2025 Brisbane International F – Aryna Sabalenka beat Polina Kudermetova, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
• 2025 Australian Open F – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Madison Keys, 3-6, 6-2, 5-7
• 2025 Indian Wells F – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Mirra Andreeva, 6-2, 4-6, 3-6
• 2025 Miami Open F – Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula, 7-5, 6-2
• 2025 Stuttgart F – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Jelena Ostapenko, 4-6, 1-6

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff’s head-to-head record

Picking against Sabalenka may seem like a wild choice, but history certainly looks to favor the American star.

Of their nine previous WTA Tour meetings, Gauff has won five, as she holds a narrow lead in their head-to-head.

Gauff beat Sabalenka at the WTA Finals in their most recent encounter, 7-6, 6-3, having lost their previous two matches.

The American also came out victorious in their one career meeting on the clay, defeating Sabalenka in straight sets at the Italian Open four years ago.

There are certainly some signs pointing to a Gauff win in Madrid, although it’s impossible to ignore Sabalenka’s clay court pedigree.

Only time will tell if Sabalenka can add a third Madrid Open title to her resume or if Gauff can lift her first WTA 1000 trophy on the clay.

Sabalenka and Gauff will battle it out in the Madrid Open final on Saturday, May 3.