Aryna Sabalenka completes Sunshine Double with Miami Open win
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff in the Miami Open final to complete the Sunshine Double, winning both Indian Wells and Miami titles. She secured her 24th career title, overpowering Gauff in a competitive three-set match
Miami Gardens (USA): Aryna Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff in the Miami Open women’s singles final 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 on Saturday.
The world No. 1 overpowered fourth-ranked Gauff in the first and third sets with strong groundstroke winners and became the first player to accomplish the “Sunshine Double”, winning Indian Wells followed by Miami in the same season since Iga Swiatek in 2022.
It was Sabalenka’s second straight title at the Miami Open, Gauff’s hometown tournament, and put her ahead of Gauff in their head-to-head record at 7-6.
“You’ve pushed me to be a better player,” Sabalenka said during the ceremony, before adding about the crowd, “You always bring a full stadium.”
The match lasted 2 hours, 11 minutes and ended with Gauff getting broken for the fourth time with a wide backhand.
Gauff fought back to force the third set but could not maintain the momentum she appeared to gain from the loud crowd supporting her.
“It sucks not to come out with a better result, but I had a lot of joy this week,” Gauff said to the crowd. “You guys brought energy every day this week.”
Sabalenka at times was frustrated by the fan noise, including when someone yelled “out” during a long rally. She used a curse word at the fan and the chair umpire warned the crowd, but also gave a code violation to Sabalenka.
“I should not be that rude, but come on, you cannot do that,” Sabalenka said at the ceremony. “So let us agree we were both wrong, so sorry.”
Gauff’s inconsistent serve resulted in seven double faults while Sabalenka registered none.
Sabalenka broke Gauff in the first game of the third set, helped by a Gauff double fault and an unforced error. On break point, Sabalenka hit a backhand winner.
“I was disappointed about that first game of the third set, up 30-0 with momentum,” Gauff said. “It was an important game to win at that moment.”
The match was attended by Kai Trump, President Donald Trump’s granddaughter and a golfer at the University of Miami. She posted a photo with Sabalenka at the tournament on social media on Friday.
Sabalenka, who earned her 24th pro title, said before the match she was happy Gauff had found her best tennis in her home tournament, where she had never got past the fourth round.
