Sabalenka clinches maiden Miami Open title over Jessica Pegula

Miami: Aryna Sabalenka secured her maiden Miami Open title with a commanding victory over America’s Jessica Pegula in the final, marking a significant milestone in her career.

In a rematch of last year’s US Open final, Sabalenka, despite having her formidable serve broken three times in the opening set, maintained composure and seized a crucial break at 5-6. That momentum carried her to a 7-5, 6-2 triumph over the fourth-ranked Pegula in one hour and 28 minutes, earning her first WTA 1000 Miami Open crown.

The victory was particularly sweet for the world No. 1, who had endured narrow defeats in her last two finals, falling to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Mirra Andreeva at Indian Wells.

"Finally, I was able to play my best tennis in the final, and I’m just super happy with the result and with my performance over these months. So, super happy to hold this beautiful trophy," Sabalenka said, referring to the crystal Butch Buchholz trophy.

Reflecting on her mindset going into the match, she added, “Honestly, I had the mentality that no matter what happens, even if she breaks me, I’d stay focused, fight for every point, and not let go. I didn’t want to lose another final—it’s really tough to lose in a final. If someone had told me beforehand that it would be a battle, I’d have said, ‘I’m ready for that.’”

Sabalenka’s triumph in Miami brings her WTA 1000 singles title count to eight, equaling Maria Sharapova’s total. The only players ahead of her in WTA 1000 titles since the category’s inception in 2009 are Serena Williams (13), Victoria Azarenka (10), Iga Swiatek (10), Simona Halep (9), and Petra Kvitova (9).

Overall, the 26-year-old secured her 19th Hologic WTA Tour singles title with her Miami win. Seventeen of those 19 titles have come on hard courts, including all three of her Grand Slam singles championships—the 2023 Australian Open, the 2024 Australian Open, and the 2024 US Open, according to WTA reports.

Sabalenka’s dominance in Miami was evident as she did not drop a single set in her six matches. She defeated defending champion Danielle Collins, Olympic gold medalist and world No. 9 Qinwen Zheng, seventh-ranked Jasmine Paolini, and fourth-ranked Pegula—considered one of the best hard-court players in the world.

This marks only the second time in Sabalenka’s career that she has defeated three Top 10 players in a single tournament, a feat she last achieved at the 2022 WTA Finals, where she overcame Pegula, Ons Jabeur, and Swiatek.

With IANS inputs