Aryna Sabalenka Beats Coco Gauff in Miami Open Final
MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: In the Miami Open women’s singles final, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff with sets of 6-2, 4-6 and 6-3.
The world No. 1 outlasted fourth-seeded Gauff with stunning groundstroke wins in the first and third sets to become the first player since Iga Swiatek in 2022 to achieve the “Sunshine Double,” winning Indian Wells and then Miami in the same season.
It was Sabalenka’s second consecutive title at the Miami Open, Gauff’s hometown tournament, putting her ahead of Gauff on a head-to-head record of 7-6.
“You pushed me to become a better player,” Sabalenka said during the ceremony, then added of the crowd: “You always make the stadium full.”
The match, which lasted 2 hours and 11 minutes, ended with Gauff breaking for the fourth time with a sweeping backhand.
Gauff fought back to force the third set, but was unable to maintain the momentum from the deafening crowd cheering her on.
Gauff told the crowd: “It sucks not to come out better, but I was so pumped this week. You guys brought energy every day this week.”
Sabalenka had been frustrated at times with fan noise, including someone shouting “out” during a long rally. She cursed at the fans and the chair umpire warned the crowd, but also gave Sabalenka a rules violation.
“I shouldn’t be so rude, but come on, you can’t do that,” Sabalenka said at the ceremony. “So let’s agree that we were both at fault, I’m so sorry.”
Gauff’s spaced serve resulted in seven double faults, while Sabalenka recorded no errors.
Sabalenka broke Gauff in the first game of the third set, aided by Gauff’s double fault and a simple error. At the break point, Sabalenka won with a backhand shot.
Gauff said, “I was disappointed with the momentum of the first game of the third set, 30-0. It was an important match to win at that moment.”
Kai Trump, President Donald Trump’s grandson and a golfer at the University of Miami, attended the match. He posted a photo with Sabalenka at the tournament on social media on Friday.
Sabalenka, who won her 24th professional title, said before the match that she was happy that Gauff had achieved her best tennis in her home tournament, where she failed to advance past the fourth round.
