Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka claimed victory against local favorite Coco Gauff with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the Miami Open final on Saturday, joining an elite group of players by achieving the prestigious 'Sunshine Double'.

Ranked as the world number one, Sabalenka reached the final without losing a single set, winning 73% of her first-serve points and facing only two break points throughout the match. This final was a rematch of the 2025 French Open, which Gauff had won.

Sabalenka is now one of only five women to have won both the Indian Wells and Miami titles consecutively, a remarkable achievement known as the 'Sunshine Double' due to the tournaments' locations in California and Florida. During the trophy ceremony, she praised Gauff, stating, "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." Sabalenka's record against Gauff improved to 7-6 with this win.

Sabalenka quickly took a 2-0 lead in the match, but Gauff, hailing from nearby Delray Beach and competing in her first Miami final, responded with a love hold and fended off three break points in her next service game to narrow the score to 3-2.

However, Sabalenka maintained her composure, eventually establishing a double break against the world number four before finishing the first set strong on her serve.

The second set saw both players evenly matched, remaining on serve until Gauff managed to break Sabalenka for the only time in the match, pushing the match into a deciding set. In the third set, Sabalenka broke Gauff to take the lead, held serve at love in two consecutive games, and clinched her victory with her fourth break when Gauff hit a backhand wide.

Sabalenka becomes the first player to win back-to-back titles in Miami since Ashleigh Barty in 2019 and 2021; the 2020 tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.

With this win, the Belarusian joins an exclusive group of players, including Iga Swiatek (2022), Victoria Azarenka (2016), Kim Clijsters (2005), and Steffi Graf (1994, 1996), who have also completed the 'Sunshine Double'.

Sabalenka's record for the year now stands at 23-1, with her only defeat occurring in the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina, whom she later defeated in both the Indian Wells final and the Miami semi-finals. Gauff congratulated Sabalenka, saying, "Aryna, congratulations. We've had many battles, many finals, and 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."

ALSO READ

• Tennis: Sabalenka and Rybakina to clash again in Miami semi-final

• Tennis: Sinner powers past Michelsen to reach Miami quarter-finals