World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka claimed her first Miami Open title on Saturday, defeating American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in a commanding showcase at Hard Rock Stadium. The victory marks Sabalenka's second WTA 1000 trophy this season, following her Brisbane triumph in January, and reinforces her dominance on the global tennis stage.
Sabalenka, who narrowly lost the Indian Wells final to Russian teen Mirra Andreeva earlier this March, displayed relentless precision against Pegula. “I was able to play my best tennis in the final,” said the Belarusian star, praising her opponent's resilience while reflecting on their previous clash in the 2023 US Open final.
The opening set saw both players grapple with service breaks, but Sabalenka seized momentum at 6-5 with a stunning forehand drop shot and cross-court winner. After overcoming an early second-set break, she surged ahead with two decisive breaks, wrapping up the match in 87 minutes. The win extends Sabalenka's impressive record against top-10 opponents to 12 victories in her last 14 encounters.
“It's about staying aggressive and trusting your shots in key moments,” Sabalenka emphasized, highlighting her clutch performance under pressure. Pegula, now 0-3 against Sabalenka in finals, acknowledged the champion's tactical prowess post-match.
The victory positions Sabalenka as a formidable contender heading into the clay-court season, while reinforcing the Miami Open's status as a pivotal event in global tennis.
