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Sabalenka Makes History with Sunshine Double, Defends Miami Open Title

Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff in three sets to win the Miami Open and successfully defend her title. With this victory, she completed the prestigious Sunshine Double, winning both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season. She joins an elite group of players including Steffi Graf and Iga Swiatek to achieve this feat. Sabalenka's win marks her 24th WTA singles title and extends her reign as World No. 1.

Key Points: Aryna Sabalenka Wins Miami Open, Completes Sunshine Double

  • Wins second straight Miami Open title
  • Completes Indian Wells-Miami Sunshine Double
  • Fifth woman to achieve the Sunshine Double
  • Reaches finals in first four tournaments of the year
2 min read

Sabalenka completes the Sunshine Double with Miami Open title

Aryna Sabalenka defeats Coco Gauff to win the Miami Open, completing the Sunshine Double and defending her title. A historic achievement.

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

Miami, March 29

Aryna Sabalenka registered an emphatic 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory over World No. 4 Coco Gauff to lift the Miami Open trophy, becoming the first player to complete the Sunshine Double since Iga Swiatek in 2022.

This is Sabalenka's second straight Miami Open title, the first time that has been done since Aussie Ash Barty did it in 2019 and '21 (no tournament held in 2020 due to the pandemic). Moreover, she is the first to do so in consecutive years since Serena Williams from 2013 to 2015.

Sabalenka became the fifth woman to win Indian Wells and Miami in the same season for the Sunshine Double, joining Steffi Graf (1994, '96), Kim Clijsters (2005), Victoria Azarenka (2016) and Iga Swiatek (2022).

She is the fourth player since 2000 to reach the finals in her first four tournaments of the year (Martina Hingis, 2001, Serena Williams, 2003, and Victoria Azarenka, 2012), all on hard court. She won three of them, including Brisbane and the Sunshine Double.

"It means a lot,'' said Sabalenka. "My goal always has been to put my name in the 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, super happy with this beautiful trophy.

The win marks the 24th WTA singles title of her career and her 30th overall, including six in doubles. Among them: four Grand Slam singles titles, two in doubles, 11 WTA 1000 singles titles and two more in doubles -- one of which came in Miami in 2019.

She has compiled those totals while spending 83 weeks at World No. 1, including an active streak that has reached 75 weeks. On Monday, she will hold the top spot for the 76th consecutive week, surpassing Swiatek's longest streak and giving her the longest run at No. 1 since Barty's 114-week stretch from September 2019 to March 2022 (including the rankings freeze during the Covid-19 pandemic

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Amazing player, no doubt. But I do wish we had more Indian players competing at this level. Sania Mirza was a legend in doubles, but we need a singles champion. The talent is there, we need the system.
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Ananya R
Her consistency is insane! Reaching finals in her first four tournaments of the year? That's the mark of a true champion. The mental strength required for that, especially after last year's Australian Open final loss, is commendable.
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David E
Watching from Delhi. The women's game is so exciting right now with Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff. This rivalry is great for tennis. Hope it inspires more girls in India to pick up a racket!
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Vikram M
To be mentioned alongside legends like Steffi Graf and Serena Williams... wow. That's history right there. 76 weeks at number one is no joke. She's earned every bit of it.
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Sarah B
A respectful criticism: While her power is unmatched, I sometimes feel her game lacks the variety and finesse of someone like Ash Barty. But you can't argue with results! She's the best in the world right now.
K
Karthik V
The Sunshine Double is one of the hardest feats in tennis. Different conditions

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