Aryna Sabalenka Claims First Miami Open Title with Victory Over Jessica Pegula

Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 1 seed from Belarus, entered the Miami Open final against Jessica Pegula with an impressive 18 career titles to her name. Despite her success on the tour, the Miami Open crown had proven to be elusive for Sabalenka until Saturday.

In a rematch of the 2024 U.S. Open final, Sabalenka secured her first Miami Open title by defeating fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula with a score of 7-5, 6-2. The victory marked a significant milestone for Sabalenka, who displayed her lethal forehand with 22 winners on that wing to claim the $1.1 million first prize. As she hit a backhand passing shot on match point, Sabalenka raised both hands to the air in celebration, looking up to the sky.

Reflecting on her triumph, Sabalenka humorously remarked, “Thank God the rain stopped. It was like Miami was crying that I won this tournament. I enjoyed playing here, every minute of it.”

Having previously defeated Pegula in the U.S. Open final, Sabalenka continued her dominance in their rivalry with another straight sets victory. The 26-year-old three-time Grand Slam champion had reached the finals of four out of six events this year, with the Miami Open title marking her second triumph of the season.

During the trophy ceremony, Pegula graciously acknowledged Sabalenka’s talent, stating, “You’re the best player in the world for a reason. You keep challenging everyone to get better. The level of tennis you’ve been able to play is amazing.”

Despite residing in Miami, Sabalenka faced a home crowd advantage for Pegula, a 31-year-old Buffalo native who has lived in Boca Raton since her teenage years. Pegula, daughter of Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, received support from the crowd, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell who was in attendance.

The match saw both players struggle to hold serve in the first set, with Sabalenka breaking Pegula’s serve four times to claim a 7-5 victory. Sabalenka’s strong finish in the set, winning the last eight points, set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Despite Pegula initially leading with a break at 3-2, Sabalenka’s resilience and aggressive play allowed her to turn the tide in her favor. By holding serve at love for a 6-5 lead and breaking Pegula with a series of winners, Sabalenka secured the victory in straight sets.

The victory extended Sabalenka’s head-to-head record against Pegula to 7-2, with Sabalenka winning their last three meetings. The men’s doubles final, which preceded the women’s final, was also a thrilling encounter, with the top seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic emerging victorious over Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.

Despite a rain delay interrupting the finals action, Sabalenka’s triumph at the Miami Open showcased her dominance on the court and solidified her status as one of the top players in the world.