Press releases

29 Mar 2026

Sabalenka wins Miami Open for second time

Aryna Sabalenka. Photo courtesy of Belarus' Sports Ministry

MINSK, 29 March (BelTA) – Belarus’ world number one Aryna Sabalenka has become the Miami Open champion for the second consecutive time, BelTA has learned.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko congratulated the tennis player on her victory.

In the final, the Belarusian faced world number four Coco Gauff of the USA, and secured victory in a three-set match, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. The Belarusian recorded three aces and did not commit a single double fault. The decisive match lasted 2 hours and 10 minutes. In their 13th head-to-head encounter, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff for the seventh time. Aryna Sabalenka now has 24 WTA tournament titles.

En route to the final, the Belarusian defeated three American representatives: Ann Li (39), 7-6, 6-4; Caty McNally (72), 6-4, 6-2; and Hailey Baptiste (45), 6-4, 6-4; as well as Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen (26), 6-3, 6-4. In the semifinal, she overcame the world’s second-ranked player Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, 6-4, 6-3.

The winner of this year’s competition in Miami earned over $1.1 million and 1,000 ranking points. In last year’s Miami Open final, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula of the USA, 7-5, 6-2. Another Belarusian tennis player, Victoria Azarenka, won this tournament three times (2009, 2011, 2016).

In the men’s final, Italy’s world number two Jannik Sinner will face Czech player Jiri Lehecka.

Belarus’ NOC head congratulates Sabalenka on Miami victory

MINSK, 29 March (BelTA) - President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko congratulated Aryna Sabalenka on her Miami Open victory, the NOC press service told BelTA.

In the final match, the Belarusian defeated Coco Gauff of the USA in three sets (6-2, 4-6, 6-3). A year ago, Sabalenka also came out on top in Miami. Two weeks ago, Aryna became the winner of the equally prestigious WTA-1000 tournament in Indian Wells.

“Thanks to your powerful and confident play, incredible composure, and talent, you have managed not only to defend your title but also to win the ‘Sunshine Double’. Two victories in the finals on American courts in a single year is a rare achievement, which once again confirms your status as the world number one,” the NOC head said.

En route to the trophy, Sabalenka defeated Ann Li, Caty McNally, and Hailey Baptiste of the United States, China’s Zheng Qinwen, as well as world No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.