AfriPulse
World number one Aryna Sabalenka clinched her second straight Miami Open title on Sunday after defeating Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to complete a rare Indian Wells-Miami sweep.
The Belarusian’s triumph follows her recent success at the Indian Wells Open, making her the fifth woman to win both prestigious early-season WTA 1000 hardcourt events in the same year.
She is the first to achieve the feat since Iga Swiatek in 2022, joining a select group that includes Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka.
The victory capped a dominant start to the season in which her only defeat came in the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina, whom she later beat en route to the Indian Wells title and again in Miami.
Sabalenka also handed Gauff her first career loss in a hardcourt final. The American had won her previous nine, including the 2023 US Open final against the Belarusian. Gauff had also beaten her on clay at the French Open last year.
Sabalenka set the tone early, breaking in the opening game and dominating the first set without facing a break point.
Gauff rallied in the second, finding greater depth on return and eventually breaking to force a decider in front of a lively crowd at Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, not far from the American’s base in Delray Beach.
Sabalenka said. “I was just trying to keep a positive mindset going into the third set. I’m super happy how well I handled my emotions, how well I stayed focused from the very beginning to the very end.”
The decider swung firmly back in Sabalenka’s favour. She broke early and sealed victory when Gauff sent a backhand long on match point.
“What a month,” Sabalenka said, adding that she also got engaged to Georgios Frangulis and welcomed a new puppy during the title run.
Despite defeat, Gauff left encouraged after a difficult March that included a nerve issue, which forced her withdrawal at Indian Wells. The American had considered skipping Miami but instead reached the final for the first time after beating Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals.
“I feel like I’m nowhere near the peak of my tennis, so I think it gives me comfort a little bit playing these tournaments and having great results,” she said.
Source: Naijanews.com | Read the Full Story…
