World number one Aryna Sabalenka claimed her first-ever Miami Open title on Saturday, defeating Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in the final. The WTA 1000 event at Hard Rock Stadium saw the Belarusian secure her second title of the season, adding to her January victory in Brisbane.
After losing the Indian Wells final to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, Sabalenka was determined to finish strong this time. “I’m really happy to have this trophy. I played my best tennis in the final,” she said, also praising Pegula’s effort.
Tough Start, Strong Finish
Both players struggled to hold serve in the opening set, leading to seven breaks of serve. Pegula tested Sabalenka by forcing her to play at the net, but the world number one took control when it mattered most. At 6-5, Sabalenka hit a delicate drop shot followed by a powerful down-the-line winner to take the set.
In the second set, Pegula broke Sabalenka’s serve early, but Sabalenka quickly regained control. She broke Pegula twice, going 3-1 up, and never looked back, sealing the match in one hour and 27 minutes.
“I managed to forget about the final and focus only on my game,” Sabalenka said after her victory.
Dominance Against Top Players
Sabalenka has now won 12 of her last 14 matches against top-10 opponents, crediting her ability to stay aggressive in crucial moments.
“It’s all about key moments, sticking to my plan, and taking risks without fear,” she explained.
Pegula, now 0-3 in finals against Sabalenka, acknowledged the challenge of facing her.
“I see myself as one of the best hard-court players, but she’s probably the best,” Pegula admitted. “She always raises her level when needed, and that’s been the difference in our matches.”
Despite the loss, Pegula remained positive about her performance. “I’m happy to be in another big final and consistently competing at the top level,” she said.
Sabalenka’s Growth and Confidence
At 26 years old, Sabalenka has now won eight WTA 1000 titles and 19 overall titles on the WTA Tour. Most of her success has come on hard courts, including her three Grand Slam victories—the 2023 and 2024 Australian Opens and the 2024 US Open.
She appears calmer and more focused than in earlier years when frustration sometimes got the better of her.
“In the past, if I lost my serve once, I would let it affect my whole match,” she admitted. “Now, I know I have other weapons. My return game is strong, and I can break back.”
Sabalenka believes that her past struggles, especially with her serve, have helped her develop a stronger all-around game and a more positive mindset.
“When my serve wasn’t working, I had to improve other areas. Now, I trust myself even if I lose a service game,” she said.
Djokovic Chases 100th Title
On Sunday, the men’s final will see Novak Djokovic take on 19-year-old Czech player Jakub Mensik, with Djokovic aiming for his historic 100th career title.
