03/28/26 04:56:00
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03/28 16:54 CDT Aryna Sabalenka beats Coco Gauff in the Miami Open final to
complete the 'Sunshine Double'
Aryna Sabalenka beats Coco Gauff in the Miami Open final to complete the
'Sunshine Double'
By MARC BERMAN
Associated Press
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) --- Aryna Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff in the Miami Open
women's singles final 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 on Saturday.
The world No. 1 overpowered fourth-ranked Gauff in the first and third sets
with sizzling groundstroke winners and became the first player to accomplish
the "Sunshine Double" --- winning Indian Wells followed by Miami in the same
season --- since Iga Swiatek in 2022.
It was Sabalenka's second straight title at the Miami Open, Gauff's hometown
tournament, and put her ahead of Gauff in their head-to-head record, 7-6.
"You've pushed me to be a better player,'' Sabalenka said during the ceremony,
before adding about the crowd, "You always bring a full stadium.''
The match lasted 2 hours, 11 minutes and ended on Gauff getting broken for the
fourth time with a wide backhand.
Gauff fought back to force the third set, but couldn't maintain the momentum
she appeared to get from the deafening crowd supporting her.
"It sucks not to come out with a better result but I had a lot of joy this
week,'' Gauff said to the crowd. "You guys brought energy every day this week.''
Gauff's off-and-on serve created seven double faults while Sabalenka registered
none.
Sabalenka broke Gauff in the first game of the third set, helped by a Gauff
double fault and an unforced error. On break point, Sabalenka crunched a
backhand winner.
The match was attended by Kai Trump, President Donald Trump's granddaughter and
a golfer at the University of Miami. She posted a photo with Sabalenka at the
tournament on social media Friday.
Sabalenka, who got her 24th pro title, said before the match she was happy
Gauff had found her best tennis in her home tournament at which she had never
gotten past the fourth round.
___
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
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