Sabalenka Beats Gauff for Second Straight Miami Open Title

Aryna Sabalenka claimed her second consecutive Miami Open WTA 1000 title on March 26, defeating Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The world number one from Belarus secured the victory after a tense second set, breaking Gauff to close out the match.

This win completes the 'Sunshine Double' of Indian Wells and Miami, making Sabalenka only the fifth woman ever to achieve this and the first since Iga Swiatek in 2022. Sabalenka's only loss this year came against Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final. For Gauff, this was her first defeat in a hardcourt final; she had previously beaten Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open and at Roland Garros last year.

In the match, Sabalenka started strong, breaking Gauff twice in the first set without facing a break point. Gauff fought back in the second set, breaking Sabalenka once to level the score. But Sabalenka broke early in the third set and won on Gauff's backhand error on match point.

For Nigerian sports fans, this showcases the elite level of women's tennis globally. With no African players in the final, it highlights both the sport's growing appeal and development gaps. Does Sabalenka's aggressive power game define the future, or will Gauff's versatile, athletic style ultimately dominate?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/03/28/sabalenka-sinks-gauff-to-win-second-straight-miami-open-title/