(No. 1) Aryna Sabalenka def. (No. 4) Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3
Aryna Sabalenka continued her dominance on Saturday, defeating Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the women’s singles final at the Miami Open. The world No. 1 overpowered fourth-ranked Gauff in the opening and deciding sets, relying on relentless groundstrokes to secure her second consecutive Miami title and extend her winning streak at the event.
With the win, Sabalenka completed the Sunshine Double, winning Indian Wells and Miami in the same season, becoming the first woman to do so since Iga Swiatek in 2022. She is just the fifth player in history to achieve the feat, joining Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka and Swiatek. The win also pushed Sabalenka ahead 7-6 in her career head-to-head with Gauff and marked her second straight win over the American.
Sabalenka set the tone early, breaking serve in the opening game and dictating play with sharp-angled backhands and controlled aggression from the baseline. She cruised through the first set in 38 minutes, breaking twice and allowing Gauff few openings. Gauff showed resilience in the second set, saving multiple break points and capitalizing on her lone break of the match to level proceedings and force a decider in front of a supportive home crowd.
The third set belonged entirely to Sabalenka. She broke immediately for a 1-0 lead and never looked back, serving at an elite level and continuing to pressure Gauff off both wings. Sabalenka won 74% of her first-serve points, faced minimal danger on serve, and sealed the match with a final break after just over two hours of play. Gauff’s seven double faults proved costly, while Sabalenka finished the match without a single one.
The win made Sabalenka the first player to win back-to-back Miami Open titles since Ashleigh Barty and the first to do so in consecutive years since Serena Williams. It was the 24th singles title of her career and her 30th overall, further cementing her place atop the women’s game as she continues an extended reign at world No. 1.
