Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs at Miami Open, Defeating Jessica Pegula
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Open has always been a coveted title in the world of tennis, and for Aryna Sabalenka, it was a prize that had eluded her grasp until now. On a sunny Saturday, the No. 1 seed from Belarus finally clinched the Miami Open title, adding another feather to her already illustrious cap. Sabalenka, who entered the final with an impressive 18 career titles, faced off against the formidable fourth-seeded American, Jessica Pegula, in a thrilling rematch of the 2024 US Open final.
In a display of sheer power and precision, Sabalenka defeated Pegula 7-5, 6-2, securing her first Miami Open title. The victory was not just a testament to her skill but also a demonstration of her resilience and determination. Sabalenka’s lethal forehand was on full display as she posted 22 winners on that wing, ultimately winning the $1.1 million first prize. The match concluded with Sabalenka hitting a backhand passing shot on match point, after which she raised her hands to the sky in triumph.
Reflecting on her victory, Sabalenka expressed her gratitude to the crowd, saying, “Thank god the rain stopped. It was like Miami was crying that I won this tournament. I enjoyed playing here, every minute of it.” Her words resonated with the audience, who had witnessed a spectacular performance from the three-time Grand Slam champion.
Sabalenka’s journey to the Miami Open title was not without its challenges. The 26-year-old power player had reached the finals of four out of six events this year, but had only managed to secure one title in Brisbane before her Miami triumph. She had faced setbacks in the finals of the Australian Open and at Indian Wells, the event that preceded Miami. However, her perseverance paid off as she finally claimed the Miami Open crown.
Despite living in Miami, Sabalenka found herself up against a crowd that largely supported Pegula. The 31-year-old Buffalo native, who has lived in Boca Raton since she was 13, is the daughter of Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres. The match even drew the attention of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who was in attendance as the league owners meetings were set to take place in nearby Palm Beach.
In her runner-up speech, Pegula graciously acknowledged Sabalenka’s prowess, stating, “Congrats to you, Aryna, and your team. I really, really don’t want to like you right now. But, you know, you’re the best player in the world for a reason. And you keep pushing everybody and everyone to get better.”
The first set of the match was a rollercoaster, with neither player able to hold serve consistently. Sabalenka broke Pegula’s serve four times and won the set 7-5, clinching the last eight points. Pegula had been up a break at 3-2 but couldn’t maintain her lead in the topsy-turvy set, which also saw her break Sabalenka’s serve three times. At 5-5, Sabalenka held serve at love for a 6-5 lead, then broke Pegula at love after hitting three straight winners, two of which were at the net.
Sabalenka’s victory over Pegula extended her lead in their head-to-head series to 7-2, with Sabalenka winning their last three meetings. The Miami Open final was a testament to Sabalenka’s dominance and her ability to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
- Sabalenka’s Miami Open victory marks her 19th career title.
- She has now won four of her last six finals appearances.
- Sabalenka’s head-to-head record against Pegula stands at 7-2.
In other news from the Miami Open, the men’s doubles final was interrupted by rain in the second set. The No. 1 seed duo of Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic were leading No. 6 seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool 7-6, 3-2, 30-30 when the rain delay occurred. Arevalo and Pavic eventually closed out the championship with a 7-6, 6-3 victory, but the rain delay caused the women’s final to begin more than an hour late.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
