Sabalenka claims her first Miami title, capping off the North American Sunshine Double with one win and one runner-up finish.

In the early hours of March 30, Beijing time, the WTA1000 Miami Open women's singles final concluded at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. World No. 1 and Belarusian star Sabalenka unleashed her full power, sweeping past America's No. 4 seed Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to clinch the Miami Open title.

At the start of the match, both players quickly found their rhythm, immediately engaging in an intense battle for breaks in the first set. For the first 10 games, Sabalenka and Pegula traded blows, keeping the score tightly locked at 5-5. But in the crucial moments, Sabalenka showcased her strong mental fortitude and consistent performance, managing to hold her own serve. Then, capitalizing on a pivotal opportunity during Pegula’s service game, she stormed through to win two consecutive points, clinching the opening set 7-5 in a hard-fought victory.

Entering the second set, Sabalenka continued to heat up, relentlessly putting pressure on Pegula with her powerful serves and aggressive baseline attacks. Although Pegula fought back valiantly, she gradually found herself on the defensive against Sabalenka's dominant momentum. Pushing forward with relentless energy, Sabalenka sealed the victory 6-2, clinching the match 2-0 and securing her place at the top.

Throughout the match, Sabalenka delivered 18 aces and boasted an impressive first-serve point rate of 79%, while Pegula managed just a 39% success rate on her second serve. Sabalenka truly showcased her status as world No. 1 in handling crucial points, breaking her opponent multiple times at pivotal moments and firmly taking control of the game's tempo.

Since making her WTA Tour main-draw debut in 2017, Sabalenka has consistently pushed boundaries on the court. In 2018, she clinched her first-ever WTA Tour singles title and, thanks to her outstanding performances, was awarded the 2018 WTA Newcomer of the Year. Since then, Sabalenka has continued to soar, going on to claim multiple titles at both Grand Slam events and WTA Tour tournaments.

In 2023, Sabalenka defeated Rybakina in the Australian Open final, clinching her first-ever Grand Slam women’s singles title and climbing to the top of the WTA rankings for the first time on September 11 that same year. The following year, 2024, she successfully defended her Australian Open title and then went on to claim another Grand Slam trophy by defeating Pegula in the U.S. Open women’s singles final. In November, Sabalenka secured the No. 1 spot at the end of the season for the first time, becoming the 16th player in WTA history to finish the year as the world’s top-ranked singles player.

Entering 2025, Sabalenka has continued her impressive form. In the WTA500 Brisbane final, she staged a remarkable comeback victory over Kudermetova to claim her 18th career title. Although she suffered a heartbreaking in the Indian Wells final, falling to Andreeva and settling for runner-up honors, her momentum carried over into the Miami tournament, where she once again showcased her stellar play, powering through each round to clinch the championship.

As one of the WTA's four prestigious Crown Jewel events, the Miami tournament is often referred to as the "Fifth Grand Slam." Sabalenka's victory not only adds a remarkable chapter to her personal honors but also solidifies her position as the world No. 1. With this triumph, she earned a prize of $1.12 million and 1,000 ranking points, further extending her lead at the top of the WTA rankings.

Moreover, Sabalenka’s success is inspiring more young players to chase their dreams. Her dynamic and powerful playing style has captivated the attention of countless fans. Through relentless dedication and sheer determination, Sabalenka has set a remarkable example for women in tennis, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the new generation of female athletes.

After winning the Miami tournament, Sabalenka will now shift her focus to the clay-court season. Although clay courts demand different technical and tactical skills from players compared to hard courts, Sabalenka’s formidable strength and extensive match experience position her well to continue delivering strong performances on clay. In 2021, she clinched her first WTA singles title on clay at the Madrid Open, showcasing her ability to thrive on this surface.