Image Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

‘If I Could Share, I Would Definitely Share With You’ – Aryna Sabalenka All Class After Defeating Jessica Pegula in Straight Sets to Claim First Miami Open Title

Sabalenka paid tribute to Pegula's performance and expressed her emotions after the game.

Image Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka claimed her maiden Miami Open title on Saturday after beating Jessica Pegula 7-5 6-2 in the WTA 1000 event. Sabalenka won all six matches of this competition in two straight sets. In a rematch of last year’s US Open final, Sabalenka wrapped up the game in one hour and 28 minutes.

With this win, Sabalenka improved her head-to-head record against the American ace with 7-2. It was their third meeting in the final of a major tennis event and the Belarusian won all three matches. At 26, Sabalenka has won 19 WTA titles across her career, 17 of which have come on hard courts.

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Sabalenka shares kind words for Pegula’s loss at the Miami Open Final

Despite having a 7-2 edge in head-to-head meetings, Aryna Sabalenka admired Pegula for her toughness and reaching another major final. Both players met each other in last year’s Cincinnati Open and US Open as well. The Belarusian paid tribute to Pegula’s performance and expressed her emotions after the game.

“First of all Jess, I’m so sorry, for real, said Sabalenka, who apologised to Jessica Pegula for beating her in another final. “If I could share the trophy with someone, trophy, prize money, points, everything – I would definitely share it with you.”

Aryna Sabalenka after beating Jessica Pegula in Miami final:

“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.”

pic.twitter.com/IWfawemvoe
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 29, 2025

“I’m sorry for that. You’re an incredible player, you always push me so hard to play my best. You’re a great player. Congrats to you and your team on an incredible couple of weeks. I always enjoy playing against you, it’s always great battles, great matches, great level of tennis.”

Pegula also shared her thoughts on Sabalenka’s dominant performance and said, “I consider myself one of the world’s best hard-court players, but she’s probably the best.”

“She just keeps … raising her level in key moments of the match when she needs to, and I feel like that was the big difference today and the last few times I have played her, Pegula concluded after the match.

Aryna Sabalenka dominates Jessica Pegula in straight sets

Aryana Sabalenka showed her best version in the final. She struggled at the beginning of the game but later, found her range. Pegula also caused Sabalenka some trouble when she brought her up to the net. Somehow, the Belarusian ace won the opening set 7-5 with an excellent down-the-line winner.

The second set was dominated by Sabalenka, who used the topspin serve effectively. Her relentless pace and precision countered Pegula’s defence. The American ace failed to hold the nerves in the second set and Sabalenka handed her seventh defeat in overall head-to-head games.

Sabalenka now leads the WTA Tour with 23 wins this year, ahead of Iga Swiatek (21) and Mirra Andreeva (20). She has now won three of the last four major hard-court titles in the US. The only defeat came during the Indian Wells final against 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva.

Image Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Aryna Sabalenka

Jessica Pegula

Miami Open

WTA

Gulshan Sharma

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A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.