Aryna Sabalenka captured her second consecutive Miami Open championship on Sunday, overcoming Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to achieve the prestigious “Sunshine Double” by winning both Indian Wells and Miami titles in the same season. The Belarusian world number one, fresh from her maiden victory in the California desert, became the fifth woman—and the first since Iga Swiatek in 2022—to claim both elite early-season WTA 1000 hardcourt events.
Sabalenka expressed the significance of this achievement, joining the ranks of Poland’s Swiatek, German legend Steffi Graf, Belgian Kim Clijsters, and fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka as players who have won both tournaments within a single year. She stated that her ambition has always been to etch her name in tennis history, a goal she has now realized.
Demonstrating her dominance on the WTA Tour this season, Sabalenka’s only loss so far was the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina, whom she later defeated in the Indian Wells final and again in the Miami semi-finals. Notably, she handed Gauff her first career defeat in a hardcourt final. The American had previously won all nine of her hardcourt finals, including a victory over Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open final. Gauff had also beaten Sabalenka on the clay courts of Roland Garros last year.
Sabalenka was not surprised by Gauff’s resilience, especially after taking the first set with a commanding display of power and accuracy. She broke Gauff’s serve early and, despite Gauff saving three break points in a competitive fifth game, Sabalenka broke again in the seventh before closing out the set in just 37 minutes without facing a break point.
The second set was tightly contested. Gauff’s first break point opportunity came in the second game with a stunning backhand passing shot, eliciting cheers from the crowd at Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins’ NFL home located about an hour from Gauff’s Delray Beach residence. However, Gauff failed to convert, hitting a forehand into the net on the subsequent point as Sabalenka held serve. Gauff then fought hard to maintain her service game in the fifth, saving a break point after squandering three game points. She eventually broke Sabalenka’s serve for the first time to claim the second set.
Sabalenka acknowledged Gauff’s determination and emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset heading into the final set. She praised her emotional control and focus throughout the match.
The deciding set was largely dominated by Sabalenka, who secured an early break and then another when Gauff sent a backhand long on match point. Reflecting on her month, Sabalenka noted not only her two major titles but also personal milestones, including getting engaged to boyfriend Georgios Frangulis and welcoming a new puppy.
Meanwhile, Gauff expressed gratitude after a challenging March, which included withdrawing from her Indian Wells third-round match due to a nerve issue causing severe pain in her left arm. Despite this, she had shown progress in addressing inconsistencies in her serve and forehand, although seven double faults hindered her performance against Sabalenka. Having contemplated skipping the Miami Open, the 22-year-old was delighted to reach her first final at the event.
Gauff remarked that she is still far from her peak form, but the strong results in recent tournaments provide her with confidence moving forward.
