Sabalenka vs Gauff: Miami Open Final Showdown
Miami Open final: Aryna Sabalenka takes on Coco Gauff in the Miami Open final. Sabalenka seeks Sunshine Double after dominant run.
Coco Gauff faces world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Miami Open final after crushing Karolina Muchova...
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is on fire at the Miami Open, looking to seal the Sunshine Double this Saturday. She's swept aside Elena Rybakina in the semis and now faces home favorite Coco Gauff, who's coming off a dominant win over Karolina Muchova.
Gauff, the American star, is seeking her first Miami Open title and has momentum after thrashing Muchova 6-1, 6-1. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, hasn't dropped a set in Miami and is hungry for the Sunshine Double, having already won Indian Wells.
The final promises to be a thrilling clash between two top players. Sabalenka's impressive form and Gauff's determination on home soil make for an exciting matchup.
All to play for in Miami 🏆 🧵@MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/nxhLjRc116
— wta (@WTA) March 27, 2026
Aryna Sabalenka Cruises to Miami Open Final, Eyes Sunshine Double
Aryna Sabalenka is one win away from defending her Miami Open title after a dominant 6-4, 6-3 win over Elena Rybakina in the semifinals. The world number one showcased her exceptional skills, hitting nine aces and winning 83% of her first-serve points. This marks Sabalenka's 21st win of the season, the most on tour.
Sabalenka will face Coco Gauff in the final, a matchup that promises to be thrilling. The two players are tied 6-6 in their head-to-head encounters. Sabalenka is aiming to complete the Sunshine Double, a feat last achieved by Iga Swiatek in 2022.
The world No. 1 has refused to lose a set in any of her five rounds, with the greatest resistance coming against Ann Li in the opening match (7-6, 6-4). She has since dismissed Caty McNally, Qinwen Zheng, and Hailey Baptiste with ease, extending her streak of reaching the final in each of her last five outings.
Sabalenka, who is the reigning US Open champion, consolidated her place as the top-ranked player with a title in Brisbane and a runner-up finish at the Australian Open at the start of this year. After skipping the Middle East swing, she returned to the winners’ circle in Indian Wells for her tenth career WTA 1000 title.
Coco Gauff's semi-final clash with Karolina Muchova was expected to be a grueling, three-set battle, given her recent run of four consecutive matches going the distance. However, she delivered a dominant performance, crushing Muchova 6-1, 6-1 in under 90 minutes, extending her perfect head-to-head record to 6-0.
Gauff's impressive display was marked by her ability to extend rallies and apply relentless pressure, which seemed to trouble Muchova. The American's forehand proved particularly effective, forcing Muchova into errors and limiting her opportunities.
This victory sets up a thrilling final against Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Elena Rybakina in the other semi-final. Gauff and Sabalenka are tied 6-6 in their head-to-head encounters, making for an exciting matchup.
Coco Gauff's season had been a bit of a rollercoaster before Miami. She had some good moments, like reaching the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and semis in Dubai, but also faced tough losses in Doha and Indian Wells. In Indian Wells, she had to retire due to a nerve issue in her left arm, which was pretty concerning.
— wta (@WTA) March 27, 2026
Coco Gauff's Miami Open journey has been a true rollercoaster. She started strong with comeback wins against Elisabetta Cocciaretto and Alycia Parks, and then navigated tough matches against Sorana Cirstea and Belinda Bencic, taking the scenic route with three-set wins. Despite the challenges, she's thrilled to have made it past the fourth round for the first time in her career.
Head-to-Head: Sabalenka and Gauff Locked at 6-6
The match-up between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff is tied at 6-6, with their last three meetings in the previous season showcasing a split decision. Gauff won their Roland-Garros final clash, while Sabalenka took the WTA Finals in Riyadh. They also split honors in the Madrid final.
Here are the stats and facts
Sabalenka's WTA 1000 Form: Aryna Sabalenka has an impressive record at the WTA 1000 level, winning 10 of 14 career finals, including five of her last six and each of her last three.
Sabalenka vs Top-5 Players: However, Sabalenka struggles against top-five players in finals, with a 5-9 record.
Gauff vs World No. 1 Players: Coco Gauff has a tough time against reigning world No. 1 players, losing 11 of 15 encounters, with half of her wins coming against Sabalenka.
Gauff's Tour-Level Finals: On the other hand, Gauff has a strong record in tour-level finals, standing at 11-3, including recent wins at Roland-Garros and Wuhan last year.
Sabalenka Favored, But Gauff a Tough Opponent
Aryna Sabalenka is the clear favorite to win, given her current form, but Coco Gauff is a formidable opponent, especially on US soil where she won their last encounter at the 2023 US Open final. The pair's head-to-head record is tied, and half of their matches have gone to a deciding set, making for an exciting matchup.
Best results: Indian Wells, Brisbane (title); Australian Open (final)
Best results on outdoor hard courts: Indian Wells, Brisbane (title); Australian Open (final)
Record: 22-1
Record in the last 10 matches: 10-0
Record on outdoor hard courts: 22-1
Record against top 10: 4-1 (career 59-43)
Record in WTA 1000 finals: 1-0 (career 10-4)
Record in finals: 2-1 (career 23-20)
Grand Slams: Australian Open (final)
Sabalenka at the Miami Open
Career record: 19-6
Best result: Title (2025)
Last year's result: Title
Record in finals: 1-0
Preparation: Indian Wells (title)
Road to the final: Bye, Li (7-6, 6-4), McNally (6-4, 6-2), Qinwen Zheng (6-3, 6-4), Baptiste (6-4, 6-4), Rybakina (6-4, 6-3)
Best results: Miami (final)
Best results on outdoor hard courts: Miami (final)
Record: 16-5
Record in the last 10 matches: 8-2
Record on outdoor hard courts: 16-5
Record against top 10: 1-1 (career 34-37)
Record in WTA 1000 finals: 0-0 (career 3-2)
Record in finals: 0-0 (career 11-3)
Grand Slams: Australian Open (quarter-finals)
Gauff at the Miami Open
Career record: 13-6
Best result: Final (2026)
Last year's result: round of 16
Record in finals: 0-0
Preparation: Indian Wells (round of 32)
Road to the final: Bye, Cocciaretto (3-6, 6-4, 6-3), Parks (3-6, 6-0, 6-1), Cirstea (6-4, 3-6, 6-2), Bencic (6-3, 1-6, 6-3), Muchova (6-1, 6-1)
— wta (@WTA) March 27, 2026
Sabalenka's form vs Gauff's determination. Who'll win?
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