The Miami Open final pits Aryna Sabalenka against Coco Gauff, adding another high-profile chapter to their growing rivalry.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are back on the big stage in the Miami Open final as their growing rivalry heats up.
Gauff, the South Floridian who defeated Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open AND French Open 2025 finals, will meet No. 1 Belarus at Hard Rock Stadium at 3:00 PM EDT.
This WTA 1000 final will mark their 13th meeting, with the series tied at 6-6. They met three times in the final in 2025. Sabalenka won the last meeting in the group stage of the WTA Finals in November.
“We’ve played so many games and it’s physical when I play him every time,” Gauff said. “She’s playing great tennis. She’s definitely No. 1 in the world for a reason and it’s going to be a big 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.
“She’s a fighter,” Sabalenka said. “She’s a great player. We’ve played a lot of close matches, a lot of big finals. She’s an unbelievable player. I’m really excited to face her in the final. I think it’s going to be a great battle. I can’t wait to play her.”
Sabalenka is trying to win the Sunshine Double – back-to-back March tournaments on hard courts in Indian Wells and Miami.
Sabalenka won in California on March 15 with a three-set victory over Elena Rybakina. Gauff had to withdraw during her third-round match against Alexandra Eala in Indian Wells due to a nerve injury in her left forearm. Gauff said her team wanted to skip the Miami Open, but she insisted.
“With Coco, you know you have to play an extra ball, and the ball always comes back, sometimes not perfectly, but it’s always on your side,” Sabalenka said. “It pushes you into long rallies and I think that’s what makes it tough.”
Sabalenka’s new residence is Miami and she has a strong Brazilian following thanks to her Brazilian fiance, Georgios Frangules.
“I’m super curious how the stadium will be on Saturday,” Sabalenka said. “It couldn’t have been a better final. I feel happy for her that she is finding her tennis again.”
By MARC BERMAN Associated Press
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