Sabalenka Defeats Gauff in Miami Open Final to Complete the Sunshine Double
Aryna Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff in the Miami Open women’s singles final 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. The world No. 1 overpowered fourth-ranked Gauff in the first and third sets with sizzling groundstroke winners and became the first player to accomplish the “Sunshine Doubl…
Aryna Sabalenka beats Coco Gauff in the Miami Open final to complete the 'Sunshine Double'
Aryna Sabalenka captured the Miami Open women's singles title on Saturday, defeating American Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in a thrilling three-set final. With the victory, the world No. 1 became the first player in the history of the sport to complete the "Sunshine Double" — winning both the Indian Wells and Miami Open titles back-to-back — on three separate occasions. The achievement further cements Sabalenka's dominance on the WTA Tour and her status as the most formidable force in women's tennis right now.
Sabalenka came out firing in the opening set, unleashing a barrage of sizzling groundstroke winners that left Gauff scrambling to find answers. The Belarusian's powerful forehand and aggressive court positioning proved too much for the fourth-ranked American, who struggled to establish any rhythm as Sabalenka raced through the first set 6-2 in convincing fashion. It was a statement of intent from the top seed, who looked determined to add another prestigious title to her growing collection.
Gauff, however, showed the resilience and competitive fire that have made her one of the brightest stars in the sport. The 21-year-old American regrouped in the second set, adjusting her tactics and finding ways to neutralize Sabalenka's power game. Playing with renewed confidence and drawing energy from the home crowd in Miami, Gauff broke back and took the second set 6-4, leveling the match and setting up a decisive third set that had fans on the edge of their seats.
In the final set, Sabalenka reasserted her authority, raising her level at the most critical moments. She broke Gauff's serve at key junctures and held firm on her own, closing out the match 6-3 to claim the championship. The title adds to what has been a remarkable stretch for Sabalenka, who continues to collect hardware at an impressive rate. For Gauff, the loss is a tough pill to swallow on home soil, but her spirited performance in the second set showed she remains a serious contender capable of challenging the very best in the game.