Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff in the women’s singles final of the Miami Open on Saturday, winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to become the first player to complete the “Sunshine Double” since Iga Swiatek in 2022.
The world No. 1 defeated the fourth-ranked Gauff in the first and third sets with thrilling winners to follow up his Indian Wells victory and also capture Miami in the same season.
Sabalenka took home the US$1.15 million winner’s check to become the fifth woman to complete the Sunshine Double, joining Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka and Swiatek.
He improved to 23-1 this season, with his only loss coming at the Australian Open.
On the men’s side, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner will try to emulate Sabalenka’s feat when he takes on Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic on Sunday, Miami time. He would become the first man since Roger Federer in 2017 to achieve the double.
The Miami victory was Sabalenka’s second straight title at the Miami Open, Gauff’s home tournament, and moved her ahead of Gauff in their head-to-head record, 7-6.
