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Top seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated fourth seed Jessica Pegula 7-5 6-2 to finally clinch the Miami Open title, having previously never been past the quarterfinal stage. The world No. 1 has secured her third straight hardcourt final win over the American following victories in Cincinnati and the 2024 US Open. With this triumph, Sabalenka extended her head-to-head lead to 7-2.
Sabalenka started shakily, facing two break points in the opening game, but she steadied herself and confidently took a 2-0 lead. In the third game, she once again struggled on serve, and this time, Pegula capitalized on her second break point to get on the board. Pegula built on that momentum, winning three straight games to edge ahead 3-2. However, Sabalenka responded in kind, reeling off three consecutive games of her own—including two crucial breaks—to seize a 5-3 lead.
Serving for the set, Sabalenka faced fierce resistance as Pegula surged to a 40-0 lead and broke back on her second opportunity, leveling the score at 5-5. Ultimately, the set concluded in dramatic fashion, with Sabalenka breaking Pegula at love in the final game. In the end, she proved to be the more composed and consistent player in the tightly contested 49-minute opener.
The second set started promisingly for Pegula, as she secured an early break, but Sabalenka quickly seized control, winning four consecutive games and never looking back.
On her way to the title, Sabalenka defeated Viktoriya Tomova, Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 14th seed Danielle Collins, and ninth seed Zheng Qinwen to reach the Miami semifinals for the first time. She then overcame sixth seed Jasmine Paolini before sealing her victory against Pegula in the final. This is Sabalenka’s 19th WTA title.
Sabalenka’s winning equipment includes the Wilson Blade 98 18×20 v9 tennis racquet, along with the Nike Women’s Spring Advantage Tank and Nike Women’s Spring Advantage Ace Skirt.
