Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff meet in Miami Open final
Al Jazeera
Sabalenka seeks tennis’s ‘Sunshine Double’, while Florida’s own Gauff has reached the final for the first time.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are back on a big stage in the final of the Miami Open as their growing rivalry heats up.
Gauff, the South Floridian who beat Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open finals, will meet the top-seeded Belarusian at Hard Rock Stadium at 3pm EDT on Saturday.
This WTA 1000 final will mark their 13th meeting, with the series knotted at 6-6. They faced off three times in finals in 2025. Sabalenka won the last meeting in the group stage of the WTA Finals in November.
“We’ve played so many matches, and it’s physical when I play her every time,” Gauff said. “She’s playing great tennis. She’s definitely world No 1 for a reason and it’s going to be a great challenge.”
Gauff is making her first Miami Open final appearance. The Delray Beach, Florida product had never made it past the fourth round in her hometown tournament.
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