Aryna Sabalenka saw off Coco Gauff to retain the Miami Open title.

Sabalenka, who beat Jessica Pegula in Florida last year, got the better of another American on Saturday, prevailing 6-2 4-6 6-3 in a little over two hours.

The world number one broke Gauff in the very first game to set the tone for a dominant opening set.

But Gauff responded in style in the second set, fending off two break points before getting the better of Sabalenka's serve to restore parity.

It marked the first time Sabalenka has lost a set in Miami since her defeat to Anhelina Kalinina in 2024.

Yet an instant response from Sabalenka saw her get back on top at the start of the decider.

Sabalenka then brought up championship point with an exquisite, looping forehand winner, after Gauff had done brilliantly to cushion a volley back over the net.

And the Belarusian got the job done at the first time of asking, pouncing on a weak Gauff second serve to force the world number four into a stray cross-court shot.

11 - Since the format’s introduction in 2009, only Serena Williams (13) has claimed more WTA-1000 titles than Aryna Sabalenka (11, equalling Iga Swiatek). Expedition. #MiamiOpen | @MiamiOpen @WTA pic.twitter.com/4YymOzk8UJ

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) March 28, 2026

Data Debrief: Queen of the Sunshine Swing

Sabalenka is just the fifth woman to win the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open in the same year, and just the second to do so as world number one, after Steffi Graf.

Following on from her triumph in Miami last year, Sabalenka is the first player to win three successive titles on the Sunshine Swing since Graf, who did so across 1995 and 1996.

Since the format’s introduction in 2009, only Serena Williams (13) has claimed more WTA 1000 titles than Sabalenka (11, equalling Iga Swiatek).

Having gone the distance against Elena Rybakina in California, Sabalenka is the first player to complete the Sunshine Double via two three-setters in both finals.