Aryna Sabalenka made it to her third final in the 2025 as she defeated fourth seeded Jessica Pegula to clinch her first Miami Open title. It was rather an easy affair for the Belarusian as she defeated the American in straight sets.
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jessica Pegula to win Miami Open title
The World No.1 lost to Madison Keys in the 2025 Australian Open finals and also lost the Indian Wells finals to teenager Mirra Andreeva. In a repeat of the US Open final last year, Sabalenka looked rusty in the first set before claiming the match 7-5, 6-2.
After winning the Miami Open, Sabalenka said,
I’m speechless. The last couple of finals were really tough and tight and close ones for me so going into this one I was so focused on myself. I was playing point by point and now it feels super special. I’m super happy with the title. First one in Miami.
This is the second title for the 26-year-old Sabalenka in 2025 as she won the Brisbane International in January as well. With this victory, she extends her lead at the top of the ATP Rankings.
She made a great start to the match with a break of the Pegula serve to lead 2-0 but soon the American, hit back by winning three games on the trot. Pegula was behind ending the dream run of Filipino teenager Alexandra Eala in the semifinals of the Miami Open.
But, Sabalenka stepped up her game as she led 5-3 only for the Belarusian to falter trying to serve out the set, allowing Pegula to level once more. The American has a dismal record against Sabalenka as she has lost her last six matches out of eight against her. She was once again looking vulnerable on the serve as she won only one of 10 points on the second serve during the opening set. A seventh break of the match was in the favor of Sabalenka.
In the second set, Sabalenka still wasn't at her best as she dropped serve again but she knew that the upper hand in the match was still with her. Sabalenka won four games on the trot as Pegula's belief started to fade away only for a backhand down the line that earned the Belarusian her first trophy.