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 fired 22 winners, ultimately winning the $1.1 million first prize. The match concluded with a stunning backhand passing shot on match point, prompting Sabalenka to raise her hands to the sky in triumph.
After the match, 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 masterclass in tennis.
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, had previously defeated Pegula in the 2024 US Open final, also in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5. However, 2025 had been a challenging year for Sabalenka in finals. Despite reaching the finals of four out of six events, she had only managed to secure one title in Brisbane before her Miami triumph. She had faced defeats in the finals of the Australian Open and at Indian Wells, the event preceding Miami.
Interestingly, Sabalenka now calls Miami her home, but it was Pegula who had the crowd’s support. Pegula, a 31-year-old Buffalo native, has lived in Boca Raton since she was 13. She 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 a gracious gesture, Pegula congratulated Sabalenka during the trophy presentation, saying, “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 was a rollercoaster, with neither player able to hold serve consistently. Sabalenka broke Pegula’s serve four times, ultimately winning the set 7-5 by clinching the last eight points. Pegula had a brief lead at 3-2 but couldn’t maintain it 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 and then broke Pegula at love, hitting three consecutive winners, two of which were at the net.
Sabalenka’s dominance over Pegula is evident in their head-to-head record, with Sabalenka leading the series 7-2 and winning their last three encounters.
- The men’s doubles final, which was the first event on the card, was interrupted by rain in the second set. The No. 1 seed pair 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 quickly closed out the championship 7-6, 6-3 once play resumed, but the delay caused the women’s final to start more than an hour late.
As the Miami Open concludes, Sabalenka’s victory is a reminder of her prowess and the competitive spirit that drives the sport. Her journey this year has been a testament to her resilience, and her triumph in Miami is a well-deserved accolade in her career.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
