Sabalenka Wins Miami Open Title

Belarusian star defeats rising American Coco Gauff in championship match.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:04pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a women's tennis match, with overlapping planes of color and movement, capturing the energy and intensity of the sport.Sabalenka's dominant performance in the Miami Open final underscores her status as the top women's player in the world.Today in Miami

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, won her second consecutive Miami Open title on Sunday, defeating 19-year-old American Coco Gauff in the championship match. Sabalenka, a 24-year-old from Belarus, overpowered the up-and-coming Gauff in straight sets to claim the prestigious hard-court title.

Why it matters

Sabalenka's victory solidifies her status as one of the dominant forces in women's tennis, while Gauff's runner-up finish further cements her reputation as a rising star poised to challenge the sport's elite players in the years to come. The Miami Open is one of the most prestigious non-Grand Slam tournaments on the WTA calendar.

The details

Sabalenka defeated Gauff 6-3, 6-2 in the final, showcasing her powerful baseline game and superior experience in big matches. The Belarusian broke Gauff's serve three times and won 72% of her first-serve points to cruise to the victory in just over 90 minutes.

  • The Miami Open final took place on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Aryna Sabalenka

The world's top-ranked women's tennis player, a 24-year-old from Belarus who has now won the Miami Open title in consecutive years.

Coco Gauff

A 19-year-old American tennis player who was the runner-up in the Miami Open, cementing her status as a rising star in the sport.

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What they’re saying

“Aryna is just playing at such a high level right now. I gave it my all out there, but she was the better player today.”

— Coco Gauff

“I'm really proud of how I played this week. Winning this title back-to-back is a great accomplishment, and I'm going to enjoy this moment.”

— Aryna Sabalenka

What’s next

Sabalenka and Gauff are both expected to compete at the upcoming clay-court season, with the French Open being the next Grand Slam tournament on the calendar.

The takeaway

Sabalenka's dominant performance in the Miami Open final underscores her status as the top women's player in the world, while Gauff's runner-up finish demonstrates her continued growth and potential to challenge the sport's elite in the near future.