World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defended her Miami Open title with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Coco Gauff in Saturday’s final, completing the rare Sunshine Double by winning both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season.
The 2-hour, 11-minute battle showcased Sabalenka’s power against Gauff’s resilience in the American’s hometown event. Sabalenka dominated the opening set, breaking Gauff early and firing winners from both wings to take it in just 34 minutes. Gauff fought back in the second, capitalizing on a dip in Sabalenka’s serve to level the match, highlighted by a stunning crosscourt forehand winner on her only set point that drew roars from the packed stadium.
The decider proved decisive, with Sabalenka breaking Gauff in the opening game on a double fault and unforced error, then sealing it with a crunching backhand winner on match point after Gauff’s wide backhand. It marked Sabalenka’s 24th career title and her second straight Miami crown, the first back-to-back since Ash Barty in 2019 and 2021.
Sabalenka became the first player to achieve the Sunshine Double since Iga Swiatek in 2022, joining an elite group that includes legends like Steffi Graf and Kim Clijsters. She now leads Gauff 7-6 in their head-to-head rivalry. During the trophy ceremony, Sabalenka praised her opponent, noting Gauff had elevated her game in Miami, where the fourth seed reached her first final after never advancing beyond the fourth round previously.
Gauff, who powered through the draw with a 6-1, 6-1 semifinal rout of Karolina Muchova, showed marked improvement on the hard courts. Her run included gritty wins like a three-setter over Sorana Cirstea in the round of 16. Post-match, both players expressed mutual respect, with shared sentiments about the intensity of the matchup.
This triumph solidifies Sabalenka’s grip on the No. 1 ranking heading into the European clay swing. For Gauff, the runner-up finish boosts her confidence and points tally, positioning her strongly in the race for year-end honors despite the heartbreak at home.
Aryna Sabalenka after beating Coco Gauff in the Miami final:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 28, 2026
“Coco, you’re so good in speeches I honestly don’t know what else to say. 😂 I wanna start with you. You’re a fighter. You also push me so hard to be a better player. I like our rivalry. You’re incredible. I’m happy to… pic.twitter.com/xaQQASIY2M
