Aryna Sabalenka won her first Miami Open title on Saturday, defeating fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2024 US Open final. The victory marked Sabalenka’s first major win of the year after losing in the finals of four out of six events.
Sabalenka, ranked No. 1, dominated the match with her powerful forehand, winning 22 winners on that wing to claim the $1.1 million prize. In a post-match interview, she praised the crowd, saying “Thank god the rain stopped” and stating that playing in Miami was an enjoyable experience.
Pegula, who had previously beaten Sabalenka at the US Open this year, showed impressive resilience but ultimately couldn’t overcome her opponent’s strong performance. The American’s comments after the loss were gracious, acknowledging Sabalenka as the “best player in the world” and expressing admiration for her skills.
Sabalenka’s win improved her head-to-head record against Pegula to 7-2, and she has now won their last three meetings. The victory marked a significant milestone in Sabalenka’s career, cementing her status as one of the world’s top players.
Source: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/44459318/aryna-sabalenka-defeats-jessica-pegula-wins-miami-open