Aryna Sabalenka beats Gauff to win Miami Open, completes Sunshine Double

Aryna Sabalenka delivered a dominant performance to defeat Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the final and clinch the Miami Open title, completing the prestigious Sunshine Double for the first time in her career.

With the victory, Sabalenka became the first player to achieve the feat since Iga Swiatek in 2022, having also won Indian Wells earlier this season.

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The Belarusian also secured her second consecutive Miami Open title, becoming the first woman since Ashleigh Barty to defend the crown (2019 and 2021) and the first to do so in back-to-back editions since Serena Williams’ remarkable run from 2013 to 2015.

Sabalenka now joins an elite list of players to complete the Sunshine Double, alongside Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and Swiatek.

Her consistency this season has been equally impressive. Sabalenka is just the fourth player since 2000 to reach the finals in her first four tournaments of the year, joining Martina Hingis, Serena Williams, and Azarenka. She has won three of those events, including Brisbane and both legs of the Sunshine Double.

“It means a lot. My goal always has been to put my name in history, and I just did it. It sounds unreal. I don’t know how I was able to achieve that, but I’m super proud and happy with this beautiful trophy,” Sabalenka said.

The title marks the 24th WTA singles crown of her career and her 30th overall, including doubles. Her achievements include four Grand Slam singles titles, two in doubles, and 11 WTA 1000 singles titles.

Sabalenka’s dominance at the top of the rankings continues as well. She has now spent 83 weeks as World No. 1 and is set to reach 76 consecutive weeks at the summit, surpassing Swiatek’s longest streak and registering the longest active run since Ashleigh Barty’s 114-week reign.