Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka cemented her status as the world’s best player by winning the Miami Open, her first title in the tournament and 19th WTA title overall. She defeated fourth seed Jessica Pegula with a convincing 7-5, 6-2 win.
Sabalenka, now at number one in the WTA rankings for the third time, has won eight titles at the WTA 1000 level alongside her three Grand Slam titles. Her impressive victory at the Miami Open is a testament to her consistency and skill.
In her first meeting with Pegula this year, Sabalenka dominated the match, using her superior shot weight to overpower the American. The two players have met in three of the five most significant hard court finals in the past year, with Sabalenka winning both their previous encounters at the US Open and Cincinnati Open.
The final saw Sabalenka face tough opponents in Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen, but she remained unbeaten throughout her six matches. After a brief delay due to rain, the match began with a series of breaks as both players struggled to gain an advantage early on. However, Sabalenka eventually settled into her rhythm, finding her serve and timing her return game perfectly.
The turning point came at 6-5 in the first set, where Sabalenka picked Pegula’s serve apart, breaking to love and taking the set. The Belarusian then controlled the second set, using a mix of topspin shots and intelligent play to push Pegula back. Her victory marked a special moment in her career, as she expressed her shock and happiness at winning her first title in Miami.
With this win, Sabalenka has solidified her position as one of the most dominant players in the world, showcasing her growth from a one-dimensional attacker into an intelligent and tenacious superstar.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/mar/29/aryna-sabalenka-jessica-pegula-miami-open-womens-tennis