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Sabalenka Defends Miami Open Crown, Joins Elite Sunshine Double Club

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff in a three-set final to successfully defend her Miami Open title. With this victory, she completed the Sunshine Double, winning both Indian Wells and Miami in the same year. She becomes only the fifth woman in history to achieve this rare feat. The win marks her 24th WTA singles title and solidifies her position at the top of the world rankings.

Key Points: Aryna Sabalenka Wins Back-to-Back Miami Open Titles

  • Wins second consecutive Miami Open
  • Completes the prestigious Sunshine Double
  • Defeats rival Coco Gauff in three sets
  • Joins an elite group of five women to achieve the feat
2 min read

Aryna Sabalenka clinches back-to-back Miami Open titles

Aryna Sabalenka defeats Coco Gauff to win her second straight Miami Open, completing the Sunshine Double and etching her name in tennis history.

"My goal has always been to put my name in history, and I just did it. - Aryna Sabalenka"

Miami, March 29

Aryna Sabalenka brushed aside the challenge with a commanding 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win over World No. 4 Coco Gauff to seal her second straight Miami Open title on Sunday, becoming the first player to complete the Sunshine Double since Iga Swiatek in 2022.

She is the fifth woman to achieve the feat, joining Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and Swiatek.

The victory marks the 24th WTA singles title and 30th overall crown of Sabalenka's career, including six in doubles. Her haul features four Grand Slam singles titles, two in doubles, 11 WTA 1000 singles trophies and two more in doubles, one of which came in Miami in 2019. She has achieved these milestones while spending 83 weeks as World No. 1, including a current streak of 75 weeks at the top.

"It means a lot. My goal has always been to put my name in history, and I just did it. It just sounds so unreal. I don't know how I was able to achieve that, but I'm super proud right now. Of course, of course, super happy with this beautiful trophy," Sabalenka said in her post-match press conference as per the WTA Tour website.

With this victory, Sabalenka improved her head-to-head record to 7-6 against Coco Gauff on the WTA Tour, extending her winning streak to two matches. She also successfully defended her Miami Open crown, dropping just one set throughout the tournament.

Sabalenka becomes the first player to claim back-to-back titles at the event since Ashleigh Barty (2019, 2021), and the first to do so in consecutive editions since Serena Williams, who achieved the feat from 2013 to 2015.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
Sabalenka's power game is something else. But honestly, I was hoping Coco Gauff would win this one. She's the future of the sport and it's great for tennis to have these rivalries. Still, you have to respect Sabalenka's achievement. Back-to-back titles is huge.
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Aman W
Sunshine Double! Joining legends like Graf and Clijsters. That's the stuff of dreams. Makes me wish we had an Indian player consistently competing at this level. Our girls have the talent, need the system and support. #Inspiration
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Sarah B
The mental strength to come back after losing the second set and close it out in the third... that's champion material. Her post-match comment about putting her name in history shows her drive. Fantastic match!
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Karthik V
While her achievement is phenomenal, I do feel the women's tour lacks the depth of rivalries from a decade ago. It often feels like a shootout between Sabalenka, Swiatek, and maybe Gauff. Where are the other consistent challengers? Just an observation, no disrespect to the champ.
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Nisha Z
24 singles titles and 30 overall! And she's a doubles champion too. That's a complete player. We need to celebrate athletes who excel in both formats. Hats off! 👏 Hope she continues this form for the clay season.

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