Aryna Sabalenka wins the sunshine double by defeating Coco Gauff.

The final of the Miami Open this Saturday was an unmissable spectacle that saw Aryna Sabalenka triumph over young star Coco Gauff, with an exciting score of 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. The match not only highlighted Sabalenka’s impressive skills but also Gauff’s resilience and fight, the home player. This electrifying clash in the heart of Florida was not just a battle for victory; it was a testament to the talent and passion both athletes bring to the court.

Sabalenka, the current world number one, demonstrated impressive dominance, especially in the first and final sets, where her powerful shots set her apart from Gauff, who ranks fourth. With this victory, the Belarusian became the first player since Iga Swiatek in 2022 to achieve the coveted “Sunshine Double,” winning both Indian Wells and the Miami Open in the same season. This achievement marks the second consecutive time Sabalenka has lifted the trophy in Miami, a remarkable feat that further cements her position as one of the leading players on the circuit.

During the awards ceremony, Sabalenka addressed Gauff with words of appreciation: “You made me a better player.” The Belarusian also expressed gratitude to the crowd: “You always bring a full stadium.” The atmosphere was electric, with Gauff receiving fervent support from the crowd throughout the match, but she was unable to sustain the momentum needed to take the match to a fifth set.

The match, which lasted 2 hours and 11 minutes, culminated with Gauff being broken for the fourth time, due to an unforced error that decided the outcome. The American tennis player acknowledged her frustration at not achieving a better result but did not fail to express the joy she felt throughout the week: “It’s frustrating not to come away with a better result, but I had a lot of fun this week. You guys brought the energy every day.”

Sabalenka, on the other hand, experienced some moments of frustration with the noise from the crowd, including an incident where a shout of “out” during a long rally caused her to react explosively, leading the umpire to issue a warning. “I shouldn’t have been so rude, but let’s be honest, you can’t do that,” the player commented after the match, apologizing to the audience.

One of the critical points of the match was Gauff’s inconsistent serving, as she recorded seven double faults, while Sabalenka maintained an impeccable performance in that aspect. At the start of the third set, the Belarusian capitalized on a double fault from Gauff to break the American’s serve, a decisive moment that would prove key to the victory: “I was disappointed with that first game of the third set; I was at 30-0 with momentum,” Gauff lamented, emphasizing the importance of winning that game.

The event also featured Kai Trump, granddaughter of former President Donald Trump and a golfer at the University of Miami, who shared a moment with Sabalenka on social media, further elevating the profile of the tournament.

With this victory, Sabalenka achieved her 24th professional title, reaffirming herself as a dominant force in women’s tennis. The future looks bright for both athletes, but in this duel, it was Sabalenka who made her mark in the history of the Miami Open.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.