Aryna Sabalenka secured her career’s first singles title at a Sunshine Double tournament with straight-set win over Jessica Pegula.

Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via Tennis Channel)

Aryna Sabalenka may have won the Miami Open, but Jessica Pegula didn’t leave her without taking revenge. Pegula, the home favorite, was defeated in the Miami Open final 7-5, 6-2 by Sabalenka, who emerged victorious in a Sunshine Double singles tournament for the first time.

The match played at Hard Rock Stadium and lasted for an hour and 28 minutes, saw Sabalenka take a 2-0 lead but Pegula made a comeback by winning three consecutive games. Sabalenka, who hit 31 winners throughout the match, faltered a bit but it didn’t last for long.

After clinching the first set, Sabalenka didn’t look back. She capitalized on her lead and, with a backhand winner, raised her arms up in the air to soak up the applause. The first seed has now improved her head-to-head record over the 31-year-old to 7-2.

Sabalenka then celebrated her win by sipping the ‘Marg-Aryna’, her signature margarita cocktail, at the Tennis Channel desk. She was answering questions from Prakash Amritraj and Martina Navratilova when Pegula slyly came inside and surprised the Belarusian by taking a sip of her margarita before walking away with the glass.

Watch the video here:

Before this, Sabalenka had also used Navratilova’s drink to clink it with Pegula’s.

Aryna Sabalenka happy after super special Miami Open win

Aryna Sabalenka had never advanced to the Miami Open final before this season. Prior to the 2025 Miami Open, the 26-year-old was denied her first title in a Sunshine Double tournament due to her defeat to Mirra Andreeva in the Indian Wells final.

Aryna Sabalenka (Image via Aryna Sabalenka’s X handle)
Sabalenka also failed to complete a three-peat at the Australian Open as Madison Keys beat her in three sets to claim her career’s first Grand Slam title. Following her defeat, Sabalenka had mediocre performances in the Middle East Swing, suffering early exits in both the Qatar Open and the Dubai Open.

I’m speechless. The last couple of finals were really tough and tight and close ones for me. So going into this one, I was so focused on myself. I was playing point by point and now it feels super special. I’m super happy with the title. First one in Miami.

Aryna Sabalenka told Sky Sports

Sabalenka has now claimed two titles this season, following the Brisbane International. She has also tied Maria Sharapova‘s tally with her eighth WTA 1000 trophy.

Aryna Sabalenka thanks her lucky charm after Miami Open win

Sabalenka’s goddaughter Nicole won the hearts of tennis fans when she made her live appearance after Sabalenka’s win over Jasmine Paolini in the Miami Open semifinals. She was also present during the final to cheer for the Sabalenka who contemplated bringing Nicole more to her matches.

She was my lucky charm during these weeks. We should consider bringing her more often.

Aryna Sabalenka told Tennis Channel

The World No.1 has so far won 19 WTA singles titles, 17 of which she bagged on the hard courts, including her three Grand Slam trophies. The other two titles came on the clay courts of the 2021 and 2023 Madrid Open.

Sabalenka also increased her lead in the WTA live rankings. She will have 10,541 points on Monday while Iga Swiatek, who lost in the quarterfinal to teenager Alexandra Eala and hasn’t yet won a title since the 2024 French Open, will continue to sit in the second position with 7,470 points.

The Belarusian’s next goal will be to continue her dominance on the clay swing. Last year, she reached two finals on the surface, in Madrid and Rome, losing both to the Pole. Sabalenka’s run at the French Open came to an end with her defeat to Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.