Aryna Sabalenka Defeats Coco Gauff to Secure Miami Open Title and Sunshine Double

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the Miami Open final on Saturday to complete the Sunshine Double, becoming only the fifth woman in history to win both Indian Wells and Miami in the same year. The world number one Belarusian, defending her Miami title, reached the final without dropping a set before Gauff took the second set, and sealed victory in two hours and nine minutes according to one source, or two hours and eleven minutes according to another. The result improved Sabalenka's 2026 record to 23 wins from 24 matches, with her sole defeat coming in the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina. The victory was also a rematch of the 2025 French Open final, which Gauff had won.

„I want to start with Coco. You're a fighter and you also push me so hard to be a better player and I like our rivalry.” — Aryna Sabalenka via Reuters

Dominant first set, Gauff's lone breakthrough in second Sabalenka broke Gauff in the opening game and raced through the first set in 37 minutes without facing a single break point, closing out a 6-2 set after breaking the American twice. The second set was far tighter, remaining on serve until Gauff converted one of only two break points she earned across the entire match, taking the set to force a decider. Gauff committed seven double faults and landed only 67 percent of her first serves, which limited her ability to sustain pressure on the Belarusian's return game. Sabalenka broke immediately to open the third set, held at love in two consecutive service games to reach 5-3, and sealed the match when Gauff sent a backhand wide on the first match point. Sabalenka won 73 percent of her first-serve points throughout the match and faced just two break points in total. The victory handed Gauff her first career defeat in a hardcourt final, having previously won all nine of her hardcourt final appearances.

„Aryna congratulations. We've had many battles, many finals and, yeah, I think you push me to be a better player. You're a great fighter and hopefully we can play many more. I think we will.” — Coco Gauff via Reuters

Fifth woman ever to complete the Sunshine Double Sabalenka joined WTA 1000 record-holder Iga Świątek (2022), Victoria Azarenka (2016), Kim Clijsters (2005), and Steffi Graf (1994 and 1996) as the only women to complete the Sunshine Double. The Miami title is also Sabalenka's 11th WTA 1000 trophy, matching Świątek's record in that category, and her 24th WTA singles title overall. She is the first player to win back-to-back Miami Open titles since Ashleigh Barty claimed the 2019 and 2021 editions, with the 2020 tournament cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sabalenka's run through the Miami draw included a semifinal victory over Elena Rybakina, the same player who beat her in the Australian Open final in January, and whom she had also defeated in the Indian Wells final weeks earlier. The Belarusian's third title of the season — following Brisbane and Indian Wells — extended her lead at the top of the WTA rankings, with Rybakina remaining second and Gauff rising to third on Monday, overtaking Świątek.

„My goal always been to put my name in the history, and I just did it.” — Aryna Sabalenka via France 24

The Miami Open, held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, is one of the most prestigious hardcourt events outside the Grand Slams. The Sunshine Double — combining Indian Wells and Miami titles in the same year — had been achieved only four times before Sabalenka's 2026 sweep, with Steffi Graf doing it twice, in 1994 and 1996. Sabalenka won her first Miami Open title in 2025, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final. Gauff, who grew up in nearby Delray Beach, was appearing in her first Miami Open final in 2026. The two players' rivalry now stands at 7-6 in Sabalenka's favor, with Gauff having previously taken two Grand Slam titles from the Belarusian — the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open.

Sabalenka apologizes to spectator, thanks her fiancé Away from the tennis, Sabalenka used her trophy ceremony speech to apologize to a spectator she had snapped at during the match. She also thanked her growing team, joking that the tournament would need to provide a larger box for her entourage. Sabalenka referenced her personal life, noting she had gotten engaged during the Miami tournament.

„I don't know where you are, that lady who was hoping it was out. I shouldn't have been so rude. But come on, you can't do that. Let's agree that we were both wrong. I'm sorry.” — Aryna Sabalenka via Ziare.com

23-1 (win-loss record) — Sabalenka's 2026 season record entering rankings update

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Miami Open