MIAMI/WASHINGTON, March 30, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula, who met to decide the women’s singles final at this year’s Miami Open presented by Itau, are no strangers to one another. That’s because they’ve faced off nine times, including Saturday’s latest title skirmish.
The World No. 1 Sabalenka from Belarus now leads the head-to-head series against Pegula, the World No. 4 from the United States, 7-2 overall – including 5-2 on hard courts and 3-0 in title matches – after defeating the American No. 2, 7-5, 6-2, to win her first WTA 1000 crown this season and eighth overall, tying Maria Sharapova.
After falling in the finals of both the Australian Open and Indian Wells, one wondered if Sabalenka had the tools to capture her first WTA 1000 title of the year. Also, could Pegula take revenge for her recent losses to Sabalenka during last year’s Cincinnati Open and US Open finals?
Queen of Miami pic.twitter.com/KEhmi78OrY
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 29, 2025
As it happened, Sabalenka dominated Pegula throughout their one-hour, 28-minute title match to become the first player ranked inside the Top 10 to garner a WTA 1000 title this season. It also marked the first Miami Open final between two Top-5 players since Serena Williams of the United States defeated China’s Li Na in 2014.
Sabalenka struck 31 winners – including three aces – and converted seven of 16 break points against the outmatched Pegula and outpointed her 74-55. Although Sabalenka finished with 36 unforced errors, she also benefited from 27 unforced errors committed by Pegula en route to winning the Miami Open title for the first time.
@SabalenkaA | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/uvK0UcFeVh
— wta (@WTA) March 29, 2025
During the trophy ceremony, Sabalenka gave props to Pegula, saying: “First of all, Jess, I’m so sorry. For real. If I could share the trophy with someone, trophy, prize money, points … I’d share it with you.” Later, she gave thanks to the weather gods, saying: “Thankfully, the rain stopped. It felt like Miami was crying that I won this tournament.” Finally, in tribute to the many Brazilian fans, who supported her title win, she said: “Since there are a lot of Brazilian fans here, I just want to say ‘Te Amo Brazil. Obrigado for all the support.'”
THE MOMENT @SabalenkaA | @WTA pic.twitter.com/e8XqaG5oEL
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 29, 2025
In consolation, Pegula gave congratulations to Sabalenka. She said: “Congrats Aryna to you and your team. Three finals. I really don’t want to 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.”
It’s all yours, @SabalenkaA pic.twitter.com/QHxUq72QQs
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 30, 2025
Sunday’s Miami Open order of play
By the numbers
With her title victory Saturday, Aryna Sabalenka has won 19 WTA Tour singles titles. Seventeen of her 19 titles have come on hard courts, including all three of her Grand Slam singles titles – the 2023 Australian Open, the 2024 Australian Open and the 2024 US Open.
Making her mark ✍️ pic.twitter.com/4uDijzlvgz
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 30, 2025
“Quotable …”
“She reminds me of a Leylah Fernandez. Takes the ball super early, uses the angles really well, uses the line forehand really well, and competes and sees the court.
“She definitely takes the ball early, anticipates well, looks to move in. Yeah, all those things are going to take her far.”
– Jessica Pegula of the United States, during her post-match news conference, on 19-year-old Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, who defeated three different Grand Slam winners during her run to the Miami Open semifinals.
