Aryyna Sabalenka made it happy for the first time in the big final in 2025 to claim the Miami Open title for the first time.
Sabalenka lost to Madison Keys in Australian Open two weeks ago and teenager Mirra Andreeva at Indian Wells, but was too strong for the fourth seed Jessica Pegula in Florida.
In a repetition of the US Open final last year, Sabalenka achieved a tense first set before advancing to a 7-5 6-2 win.
“I’m speechless,” said Sabalenka, who didn’t drop a set on Sky Sports for the whole two weeks.
“The last few finals were very tough for me and now and now, so I was so focused on myself. I played point by point and now it feels super special. I am very happy with the title. First one in miami. ‘
It is a second title of the year for the world number one, which also won the Brisbane International in January, and she expanded her lead above the rankings.
Sabalenka made the ideal start with a break from the Pegula to lead 2-0, but the American, who ended the dream lane of Filipino teenager Alexandra Eala in the semi-finals, struck back by winning three games in a row.
The back came Sabalenka to lead 5-3 only for the Belo-Russian to shaky to serve the set, allowing Pegula to level again.
However, the American, who lost six of her previous eight meetings with Sabalenka, was vulnerable to the ministry, but won only one of the 10 points on the second serving during the opening set, and a seventh break from the competition gave the top seed the benefit.
Sabalenka still didn’t quite look right and she served to start the second set again, but she knew that the power balance was a lot in her favor.
The conviction began to go off Pegula, while Sabalenka averted four games in a row, and one last back in line earned her the trophy.
There was disappointment for British Duo Julian Cash and Lloyd Glaspool in the final of the men’s doubles, with the top seeds Marcelo Arevalo-Gonzalez and Mate Pavic claiming a 7-6 (3) 6-3 victory.
