Iga Swiatek saved three match points as she claimed her first Madrid title with a 7-5 4-6 7-6(7) victory over Aryna Sabalenka.
The world number one dethroned the defending champion in a three hour and 14 minute epic.
It means that Swiatek has completed the clay court quarter of titles in her career having won Stuttgart, Rome and Roland Garros.
It was a high-quality contest from the first ball as the pair shared a break each to start the match.
Both players were clutch on serve and took risks as there was very little to separate them.
Swiatek played some high-quality points under pressure as she saved three break points in the sixth game for 3-3.
Sabalenka responded by saving two break points of her own as she continued to keep pace with the world number one.
However Swiatek produced the better returns under pressure as she edged towards a break in the eleventh game for a 6-5 lead.
There were chances for Sabalenka to break back but the Pole held firm to take an hour long opening set.
An emphatic response was made by Sabalenka who broke on two occasions to start the second set only for the world number one to respond straight away on both occasions.
Despite that Sabalenka always had the advantage in the set, serving first, and the world number two broke comfortably in the tenth game to level the match at one set all.
Sabalenka fended off early momentum from the Pole, saving two break points in the third game, as she broke for a 3-1 lead.
In typical Swiatek fashion the Pole showed resilience as she broke back and saved two match points in order to force a thrilling final set tiebreak.
After a nerve-wracking 15 points, Swiatek managed to secure the fatal blow to convert her second match point and secure her first Madrid title.
Now Swiatek has secured the quartet of clay court titles in her career and cemented her legacy as the best clay court player of her generation.
