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 fourth-seeded American, Jessica Pegula, in a thrilling rematch of the 2024 US Open final.
In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Sabalenka emerged victorious with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Pegula. This victory not only marked her first Miami Open title but also showcased her formidable skills on the court. Sabalenka’s lethal forehand was on full display as she fired 22 winners, ultimately securing 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.
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.”
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, had previously defeated Pegula in straight sets at the US Open, with scores of 7-5, 7-5. However, 2025 had been a challenging year for Sabalenka in finals. Despite reaching the finals in four of six events, she had only managed to secure one title in Brisbane before her Miami triumph. Her losses in the finals of the Australian Open and at Indian Wells had added to the pressure, making this victory all the more significant.
Interestingly, Sabalenka now calls Miami home, but it was Pegula who had the crowd’s support. The 31-year-old Buffalo native has lived in Boca Raton since she was 13 and 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.”
Match Highlights
- Neither player could hold serve well in the first set, with Sabalenka breaking Pegula’s serve four times to win it 7-5.
- Pegula was up a break at 3-2 but couldn’t maintain it in a topsy-turvy set that 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 at the net.
- Sabalenka leads the series against Pegula 7-2 and has won their last three meetings.
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 quickly closed out the championship with a 7-6, 6-3 victory once play resumed, although the delay caused the women’s final to start more than an hour late.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
