MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the women’s singles final of the Miami Open on Saturday.
The world No. 1 defeated fourth-ranked Gauff with fiery hammer winners in the first and third sets to become the first player since Iga Swiatek in 2022 to complete a “sunshine double” – winning Indian Wells and then Miami in the same season.
It was Sabalenka’s second consecutive win at the Miami Open in Gauff’s hometown, giving her a 7-6 lead over Gauff in their head-to-head record.
“You push me to be a better player,” Sabalenka said during the ceremony, before speaking of the crowd, “You always fill the stadium.”
The game lasted 2 hours and 11 minutes and ended with Gauff’s fourth break of serve with a backhand.
Gauff fought back to force the third set, but she couldn’t seem to maintain the momentum she gained from the deafening supportive crowd.
“It sucks not to have a better result, but I’m happy this week,” Goff told the crowd. “You guys brought energy every day this week.”
Gauff’s staccato serve forced seven double faults, while Sabalenka didn’t commit any.
Sabalenka helped break Gauff’s game in the first game of the third set with a double fault and an unforced error. On the break point, Sabalenka hit a backhand winner.
University of Miami golfer Kay Trump, the granddaughter of President Donald Trump, was in attendance. On Friday, she posted a photo on social media of her match with Sabalenka.
Sabalenka, who won her 24th career title, said before the match that she was delighted that Gauff had found her best tennis in her home tournament, where she has never advanced past the fourth round.
