Sabalenka Dominates Pegula Once Again to Claim Her First Miami Title
The Miami WTA 1000 has a new champion in Aryna Sabalenka. The world No. 1 overcame world No. 4 Jessica Pegula (7-5, 6-2) in the final, despite a strong effort from the American.
After two previous meetings in the finals of Cincinnati and the US Open last year, Sabalenka and Pegula faced off once again this Saturday in a tournament final on American soil.
And just like in the Belarusian’s two victories in 2024 (7-5, 6-3 and 7-5, 7-5), the match was tightly contested, with long rallies, but Sabalenka’s determination ultimately made the difference.
The first set was a perfect example, as Pegula broke the world No. 1 three times before Sabalenka surged ahead at 6-5, unleashing a flurry of winners.
The recent Austin tournament champion didn’t give up and tried to turn the tide by breaking early in the second set. But Sabalenka, determined to win this final after two losses in Melbourne and Indian Wells this year, never let the American pull away, winning the next four games to seal the title.
At 26 years old (she’ll turn 27 on May 5), the Minsk native claims her first title in Florida. A well-deserved triumph after an imperious week (without dropping a single set), adding an eighth WTA 1000 trophy to her collection and a 19th career title.
Her focus now shifts to the clay season, with the obvious goal of securing her first Roland-Garros crown.
Davis Cup: between reforms, criticism and national culture 
When tennis stars change courts: from Noah the singer to Safin the deputy, another match – the battle of reinvention 
As a laboratory for tomorrow’s tennis, does the Next Gen Masters have a future? 
Tennis: the little-known truths about the offseason, between rest, stress and physical survival 