Gauff taking a lot of positives from her performance in Madrid despite loss to Sabalenka in final

MADRID (AP) — Coco Gauff got past the disappointment of losing the Madrid Open final to Aryna Sabalenka and was celebrating a solid week that will make her the top-ranked American woman on Monday.

The 21-year-old Gauff is set to reach No. 3 in the world, moving past countrywoman Jessica Pegula.

"Overall there's a lot of positives to take," Gauff said. “Obviously disappointed with maybe how I played (in the final). I feel like I could have showed up better. But I went from an 0-6 set in the first round and made it to the final, so happy with that. Obviously hoping for more next time."

Gauff lost in straight sets — 6-3, 7-6 (3) — to the top-ranked Sabalenka on Saturday. She had started her campaign by rallying to a 0-6, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Dayana Yastremska, then picked up straight-set wins over Ann Li, Belinda Bencic, Mirra Andreeva and second-ranked Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. Gauff overpowered Swiatek in a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory.

"Speaking on the week as a whole, on the ground I think today was like the only day where I felt really tested, and obviously in my first round, too," Gauff said after the final. "So there’s a lot of positives to take, and I think especially coming maybe from the last few weeks where I didn’t feel as confident on the ground, I think it is a step in the right direction, and just trying to look at the positives of it all. I don’t like losing, first final loss since the French Open, so it’s a feeling that I know I don’t like."

It was only the second loss in a WTA tour final for Gauff, with the other coming against Swiatek at the 2022 French Open.

"I hate losing a lot, and especially in finals, because it’s like you’re so close," Gauff said. “But obviously if I can lose this and go a few more finals undefeated I’ll take that. Each time it’s a learning experience, and maybe I needed to feel this loss again to be motivated again, even more motivated for the next one.”

The 2023 U.S. Open champion squandered a set point at 5-4 in the second set in the final against Sabalenka in Madrid. She lost 17 points in a row at one stage in the first set on the Caja Magica center court. Gauff had four more winners than Sabalenka, but also seven more unforced errors.

“My first serve has been such a weapon this week, so just wish I could have served better (in the final),” Gauff said.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

United States' Coco Gauff, left, and the winner Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus stand on the podium after the Madrid Open tennis final in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

United States' Coco Gauff returns to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the Madrid Open tennis final in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

United States' Coco Gauff returns to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the Madrid Open tennis final in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

United States' Coco Gauff returns to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the Madrid Open tennis final in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

United States' Coco Gauff reacts during the Madrid Open tennis final against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

United States' Coco Gauff reacts during the Madrid Open tennis final against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Morez Johnson Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including 17 in the first half, and No. 2 Michigan beat No. 24 Southern California 96-66 on Friday night.

Roddy Gayle Jr. added 12 points for the Wolverines (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten), and Will Tschetter, Trey McKenney and L.J. Cason each scored 10.

Michigan is off to its best start since it won 17 straight games to start the 2018-19 season.

Jaden Brownell scored 16 points and Erza Ausar added 15 for the Trojans (12-2, 1-2), whose only previous loss was by eight points against Washington on Dec. 6. Chad Baker-Mazara, who came into the game averaging 21 points, was hampered by early foul trouble and finished with 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Michigan starting guard Nimari Burnett was helped from the court with 16:25 left after falling during a battle under the basket. He went down to the floor and appeared to be bleeding above his eyebrow and holding his ankle. He sat on the bench the rest of the night.

The Wolverines bolted out to an 11-0 lead thanks to a defense that forced six early turnovers. USC got within five points twice in the first half and Michigan responded with a 32-19 run to build a 49-31 halftime advantage.

USC got no closer the rest of the way.

USC: At No. 9 Michigan State on Monday.

Michigan: Visits Penn State on Tuesday.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Michigan center Aday Mara, front, drives against Southern California center Gabe Dynes, back, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)