The 2026 WTA Miami Open reaches its end today with a “clash of the titans” in the women’s final. It’s a matchup the Florida crowd wanted: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. South Florida’s own Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka is chasing the elusive Sunshine Double, while Gauff is looking to secure her first-ever title in her home tournament.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Coco Gauff
Time: Scheduled for 3:00 PM ET (Stadium Court)
Sabalenka is currently playing superb tennis. Since winning Indian Wells two weeks ago, she has steamrolled through the Miami draw without dropping a single set. Her semifinal win over Elena Rybakina (6-4, 6-3) was a masterclass in controlled aggression, where she won 83% of her first-serve points. If she wins today, she will become only the fifth woman in history to complete the Sunshine Double.
Coco Gauff has had a much more dramatic road to the final. Before her clinical 6-1, 6-1 semifinal win over Karolina Muchová, Gauff survived four consecutive three-set battles. This is her first Miami Open final, and despite a nerve injury in her arm earlier this month, the 22-year-old looks fast and resilient.
- Head-to-Head: Tied 6–6. Their rivalry is one of the most balanced on tour. While Sabalenka won their last meeting at the 2025 WTA Finals, Gauff famously beat her to win the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open.
- The Matchup: Sabalenka will look to blast Gauff off the court with her 120 mph serves and heavy groundstrokes. Gauff’s job is to use her elite athleticism to “play one more ball,” forcing Sabalenka into unforced errors. One key stat will be Gauff’s second serve; if it’s shaky, Sabalenka will punish it instantly.
- Prediction: Sabalenka is in Champion Mode right now and looks physically fresh. However, the Miami crowd will be deafening for Gauff who has a crafty game. Expect a tough battle but… Sabalenka to win in two tight sets and claim the Sunshine Double.
Road to the Final
| Round | Aryna Sabalenka | Coco Gauff |
| Fourth Round | def. Qinwen Zheng (6-3, 6-4) | def. Sorana Cirstea (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) |
| Quarterfinal | def. Hailey Baptiste (6-4, 6-4) | def. Belinda Bencic (6-3, 1-6, 6-3) |
| Semifinal | def. Elena Rybakina (6-4, 6-3) | def. Karolina Muchova (6-1, 6-1) |
| Sets Lost | 0 | 4 |
