Sabalenka and Gauff to Face Off in Miami Open Final

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and rising star Coco Gauff will meet for the 13th time in their growing rivalry.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:00pm

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Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and defending Miami Open champion, will face off against American star Coco Gauff in the tournament final on Saturday. The two players have met 12 times previously, with the series tied at 6-6. Gauff is making her first appearance in the Miami Open final, while Sabalenka is seeking to win the 'Sunshine Double' by claiming victories in both Indian Wells and Miami.

Why it matters

This matchup between the top-ranked Sabalenka and the rising Gauff represents one of the most compelling rivalries in women's tennis. Their previous meetings have been highly competitive, and the winner of this final will claim a prestigious title in front of a passionate crowd in South Florida.

The details

Sabalenka, the No. 1 seed, defeated Elena Rybakina in three sets to win the Indian Wells title earlier this month. Gauff had to retire from her third-round match at Indian Wells due to a nerve injury, but she insisted on playing in Miami. The two players have faced off 12 times previously, with each winning 6 matches. Sabalenka won their most recent meeting in the group stage of the 2025 WTA Finals.

  • The Miami Open final will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 3 p.m. EDT.
  • Sabalenka won the Indian Wells title on March 15, 2026.
  • Gauff had to retire from her Indian Wells match on an unspecified date in 2026.

The players

Aryna Sabalenka

The world No. 1 player and defending Miami Open champion. Sabalenka is seeking to win the 'Sunshine Double' by claiming victories at both Indian Wells and Miami.

Coco Gauff

The rising American star who has faced Sabalenka 12 times previously, with the series tied at 6-6. Gauff is making her first appearance in the Miami Open final.

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What they’re saying

“We've played so many matches, and it's physical when I play her every time. She's playing great tennis. She's definitely world No. 1 for a reason and it's going to be a great challenge.”

— Coco Gauff

“She's a fighter. She's a great player. We played a lot of tight matches, a lot of big finals. She is an incredible player. I'm really excited to face her in the final. I think it's going to be a great battle. I cannot wait to play that.”

— Aryna Sabalenka

What’s next

The winner of the Miami Open final will claim a prestigious title and continue their rise in the women's tennis rankings.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated matchup between the world's top-ranked player and one of the sport's rising stars promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Miami Open. Their growing rivalry has produced many close and competitive matches, and the winner will cement their status as one of the premier players in the women's game.