Aryna Sabalenka underlined her dominance on hard courts by defeating Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in a gripping final at the Miami Open, completing the coveted Sunshine Double.
With this triumph, she adds the Miami crown to her earlier title at Indian Wells, becoming the first player since Iga Swiatek in 2022 to achieve the feat.
The world No. 1 came out firing, overpowering Gauff in the opening set with deep groundstrokes and aggressive returns. Though Gauff rallied in the second set, feeding off the home crowd’s energy, Sabalenka regrouped quickly to assert control in the decider.
A crucial early break in the third set tilted momentum firmly in Sabalenka’s favour. Gauff struggled with consistency on serve, committing multiple double faults at key moments, which ultimately proved costly in a match that lasted over two hours.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Gauff could not sustain pressure against Sabalenka’s relentless hitting. The Belarusian’s composure in high-pressure exchanges stood out as she closed out the match with authority to claim her 24th career title.
The contest was not without drama, as crowd interruptions briefly unsettled Sabalenka. However, she managed to stay focused when it mattered most.
This victory not only strengthens Sabalenka’s position at the top of women’s tennis but also highlights her growing reputation as the player to beat on the biggest stages.