Sabalenka edges Gauff to claim Miami Open crown

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The coronation is complete.

After almost two weeks of intense tennis action, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka wrapped up her majestic Miami Open campaign with a championship title, outlasting American challenger Coco Gauff in the final, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, on March 29, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

With the impressive win, Sabalenka successfully defended her Miami Open title, becoming only the fifth woman in Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) history to win back-to-back titles.

Sabalenka meant pure business from the get-go, quickly dominating Gauff in the opening set and leaning on her consistent baseline power and precision hitting to jump to a commanding 5-2 lead.

Gauff kept it close through the first five games of the set, trailing by only a point at 2-3, but two consecutive break points from Sabalenka steered her to the opening-set advantage en route to a 37-minute win.

Just when Sabalenka thought she could sustain her efficient work rate in the second set, Gauff drew momentum from the crowd during the 3-all deadlock, saving three break points to hold serve for a crucial 4-3 lead.

That was the only moment Gauff needed to turn the tide, as a crucial break point in the eighth game moved the American ace a point away from stealing the second set, which she eventually pulled off to set up the third and deciding frame.

After an error-prone forehand display in the first set, Gauff’s groundstroke resurgence propelled her to a better showing in the second, neutralizing Sabalenka’s ability to dominate the baseline with a slick topspin showcase.

However, Sabalenka stepped up in the most crucial stretch of the third set, scoring a much-needed break point in the seventh game to grab the lead, 4-3.

A service hold, backstopped by a series of backhand winners and a rare net attack, helped Sabalenka build a 5-3 lead before she officially ended Gauff’s come-from-behind hopes with another break point.

The Belarusian superstar capped off the title-sealing win with 94 total points won, including 39 on the return, four break points, and three service aces.

“It means a lot,” Sabalenka said after winning the crown.

“My goal has always been to put my name in history, and I just did it. It just sounds so unreal. I don’t know how I was able to achieve that, but I’m super proud right now. Of course, of course, I’m super happy with this beautiful trophy.”