Aryna Sabalenka Completes Sunshine Double with Hard-Fought Miami Open Victory Over Coco Gauff

Posted : 30 March 2026

Aryna Sabalenka secured her second consecutive Miami Open title and completed the prestigious Sunshine Double with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Coco Gauff on Saturday. The world number one arrives at this milestone after winning in Indian Wells earlier this month, marking a period of total dominance on the hard courts. The victory serves as a measure of revenge for Sabalenka, who lost to Gauff in the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open finals.

The championship match at Hard Rock Stadium lived up to its billing as a heavyweight clash. Sabalenka dominated the opening set with her trademark power, but Gauff became the only player in the tournament to take a set off the Belarusian by fighting back in the second. In the deciding set, Sabalenka’s relentless pressure eventually broke the American’s resistance, allowing her to lift the trophy after two hours of play.

Following the match, Sabalenka was quick to praise her rival’s unique athletic abilities. She admitted that Gauff’s movement is a level above the rest of the tour and joked that she would be happy with even a fraction of the American's speed. Sabalenka noted that playing Gauff requires immense mental focus because the 22-year-old is capable of returning "extra balls" that would be winners against almost anyone else.

The Belarusian also complimented Gauff’s composure and public speaking during the trophy ceremony. Sabalenka jokingly expressed jealousy over how well the young American addresses the crowd, calling her an "incredible fighter." The world number one emphasized that their growing rivalry is a major motivation for her to continue improving her own game.

Gauff reflected on the defeat with optimism, noting that Sabalenka is currently playing with a level of total self-belief. The American explained that the world number one appears to trust her game 100 percent, making her nearly impossible to beat in her current form. Gauff remains confident that her own results will follow as she continues to build consistency throughout the 2026 season.

The win extends Sabalenka’s incredible unbeaten streak, which dates back to the Australian Open final two months ago. By winning back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami, she has firmly established herself as the dominant force in women's tennis heading into the clay-court season. She currently holds a significant lead at the top of the WTA rankings.

With a five-week break looming for many athletes due to schedule changes, Sabalenka plans to recharge before the tour shifts to Europe. Her rivalry with Gauff is expected to be a defining storyline of the year as both players target the upcoming Grand Slam events.

Aryna Sabalenka Completes Sunshine Double with Hard-Fought Miami Open Victory Over Coco Gauff

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