Sabalenka and Gauff Meet Again in Miami Open Final

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and rising star Coco Gauff face off in the title match of the prestigious Miami tournament.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:33am

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Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus will take on American rising star Coco Gauff in the final of the 2026 Miami Open tennis tournament. The two players have developed a growing rivalry, with Gauff defeating Sabalenka in the finals of the 2023 U.S. Open and 2025 French Open. The highly anticipated match will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida at 3 p.m. EDT.

Why it matters

The Miami Open is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments outside of the Grand Slams, and this final matchup between the defending champion Sabalenka and the young American phenom Gauff is sure to generate significant interest and attention. Their previous Grand Slam final meetings have been closely watched, and this latest clash will further cement their status as two of the top women's players in the world.

The details

Sabalenka, the world's top-ranked player, is seeking to defend her Miami Open title, while Gauff is looking to capture her first Miami crown. The two players have met four times previously, with Gauff holding a 3-1 advantage in their head-to-head record. Their most recent matchup came in the 2025 French Open final, where the 21-year-old Gauff defeated the 24-year-old Sabalenka in straight sets.

  • The Miami Open final will take place on Sunday, March 30, 2026 at 3 p.m. EDT.
  • Sabalenka won the Miami Open title in 2025.

The players

Aryna Sabalenka

The 24-year-old Belarusian is the world's top-ranked women's tennis player and the defending champion of the Miami Open.

Coco Gauff

The 21-year-old American is one of the rising stars on the women's tennis tour, having won two Grand Slam titles and defeated Sabalenka in their previous three matchups.

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What they’re saying

“Coco has really stepped up her game in the last few years, and I know she'll be a tough opponent in the final. But I'm ready to defend my title and add another Miami Open trophy to my collection.”

— Aryna Sabalenka, World No. 1 Tennis Player

“Playing in the Miami Open final is a dream come true. I've had some great battles with Aryna in the past, and I'm looking forward to another competitive match against the best player in the world.”

— Coco Gauff, American Tennis Star

What’s next

The winner of the Miami Open final will earn a significant boost in ranking points and prize money, as well as valuable momentum heading into the upcoming clay court season and the French Open.

The takeaway

The highly anticipated matchup between the defending champion Sabalenka and rising star Gauff in the Miami Open final showcases the growing depth and competitiveness of women's tennis, with two of the sport's biggest names battling for a prestigious title.