World number 1 Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula 7-5 6-2 after 1 hour and 28 minutes in a re-match of last year’s US Open finals to claim her first Miami Open title. Sabalenka has won her second title of the 2025 season after lifting the trophy in Brisbane. She also reached two more finals finishing runner-up to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and to Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells. Sabalenka beat Pegula 7-5 7-5 at the 2024 US Open
“Thank god the rain stopped. It was like Miami was crying that I won this tournament. I enjoyed playing here, every minute of it, said Sabalenka.
Sabakenka has won the eighth WTA 1000 title in her career equalling Maria Sharapova. The only players, who won more titles in this category are Serena Williams (13), Victoria Azarenka (10), Iga Swiatek (10), Simona Halep (9) and Petra Kvitova (9).
Before this week Sabalenka had never won either of the two tournaments of the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami). This March she lost her second Indian Wells final against Mirra Andreeva and reached her first final in Miami.
The first set featured seven breaks of serve in twelve games. Sabalenka earned an early break to open up a 2-0 lead. Pegula reeled off three consecutive games to take a 3-2 lead. Sabalenka won the next three games to earn the chance to serve for the set at 5-3. Pegula pulled back on serve in the ninth game in a topsy-turvy first set to draw level to 5-5, but Sabalenka hit three consecutive winners to hold serve at love for 6-5 earning three set points. The 2024 Australian Open and US Open champion hit another forehand to close out the first set 7-5 with her fourth break at love in the 12th game.
Sabalenka hit 16 winners to Pegula’s 8. Both players made 16 unforced errors.
Sabalenka has extended her head-to-head series against against Pegula to 7-2 and has won the most recent three matches. Sabalenka won her fourth consecutive set 7-5 against Pegula.
“Congrats Aryna to you and your team. Three finals. I really don’t wanna like you right now, but you’re the best player in the world for a reason. You keep pushing and challenging everyone to get better. Congrats for an amazing couple of weeks here. Great tournament at Indian Wells too. The last month of tennis you’ve been able to play is amazing,” Pegula said.
