Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka recorded 31 winners while sailing to a 7-5, 6-2 victory over the fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula on Saturday to win the Miami Open for the first time in her career.
Sabalenka, ranked as No. 1 in the world, saved 7 out of 11 breaking points while won her 19th career title and eighth at 1000 level.
Belarus now lives in Miami but was still having to win over the crowd while playing against a popular American.
“Thankfully the rain stopped,” said Sabalena Oncourt after the victory. “It was like Miami cried that I won this tournament. I liked to play here, every minute of it.”
World No. 4 Pegula won three straight matches in the opening set to take 3-2 lead. But Sabalenka won the next three matches on the way to win the set.
Pegula won more open by the second set before Sabalenka won four straight matches to take the control. Sabalena closed it in 88 minutes.
She was proud of the victory after losing the final in the Australian Open (Madison Keys) and on Indian Wells (Mirra Andreeva) earlier this year.
“Finally, I could play my best tennis in the final, and I’m just super happy with the result and with the show,” Sabalenka said.
The idea of another final loss was on Sabalenka’s mind a lot in recent days.
“When I entered this match, I had the mentality that no matter what happens, if she will break me, I had the mentality to stay there, to focus on myself, to fight for every point no matter what,” Sabaleka said.
“I didn’t want to lose another final, to be honest. It’s really tough to lose in the final. So if anyone would say so, I would,” Ok, it will be a battle, I’m ready for it. “
A disappointed Pegula fell to 2-7 all the time against Sabalenka, including a loss in 2024 US Open Final.
“Congratulations to you, Aryna and your team,” Pegula Oncourt said. “I really don’t want to like you right now. But you know, you are the best player in the world for a reason. And you continue to drive everyone and everyone to get better.”
Pegula saved 9 out of 16 breaking points but made three double errors and converted only 48.9 percent (23 out of 47) first serving points. She only had 12 winners.
-Field level media
