World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka showcased her dominance once again, defeating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to capture her first Miami Open title. The Belarusian star sealed the victory without dropping a single set throughout the tournament, making a powerful statement on the WTA Tour.
Sabalenka’s Miami Masterclass
With her commanding win, Sabalenka becomes the 12th world No. 1 to lift the Miami Open trophy and the first since Ashleigh Barty in 2021. It also marks her eighth career WTA 1000 title, cementing her position as one of the most formidable players on the tour.
“I’m speechless,” Sabalenka said. “The last couple of finals were tough and close for me, so I came into this one fully focused on myself. Winning this title in Miami feels incredibly special.”
A Familiar Rivalry
The victory adds another chapter to Sabalenka’s growing rivalry with Pegula. The two players faced off in their third consecutive final, with Sabalenka having previously defeated the American in both the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open. Her latest win extends her head-to-head lead to 7-2.
Pegula, a local favorite and Miami resident, fought valiantly but struggled to contain Sabalenka’s relentless power. Despite breaking Sabalenka’s serve multiple times, the No. 4 seed couldn’t match the world No. 1’s aggressive play, which included 31 winners to Pegula’s 12.
Dominance from the Baseline
The turning point of the match came in the first set, where Sabalenka hit three consecutive winners to secure the set. She carried that momentum into the second set, breaking Pegula early and closing out the match in 89 minutes.
“I knew I had to stay mentally strong, no matter what,” Sabalenka added. “Losing another final would have been tough, so I gave it everything.”
Looking Ahead
Sabalenka’s Miami triumph propels her to the top of the WTA Race to the Finals leaderboard, surpassing Australian Open champion Madison Keys. With the clay court season approaching, she hopes to carry this momentum forward.
“I’ll enjoy this moment and then switch my focus to the next challenges. Miami will always hold a special place in my heart,” Sabalenka said.
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles final, British pair Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool fell to top seeds Marcelo Arevalo-Gonzalez and Mate Pavic, losing 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
Final Thoughts
Sabalenka’s latest victory reinforces her reputation as a fierce competitor on hard courts. With 19 WTA titles now under her belt, the world No. 1 is poised for more success as the season progresses.
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