Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka won the WTA 1000 tournament in Miami for the second year in a row. In the final, she defeated American Coco Gauff 6:2, 4:6, 6:3, reported the press service of the National Olympic Committee.
In the first set, Sabalenka broke her opponent’s serve and secured the set. The second set proved much more challenging and went to Gauff. The outcome of the match was decided in the third set, where the Belarusian improved her serve and capitalized on her opponent’s errors.
On her way to the final, Sabalenka defeated Americans Ann Li — 7:6, 6:4, Caty McNally — 6:4, 6:2, Hailey Baptiste — 6:4, 6:4, China’s Zheng Qinwen — 6:3, 6:4, and in the semifinal the world No. 2 from Kazakhstan Elena Rybakina — 6:4, 6:3.
The tournament winner earned more than $1.1 million in prize money and 1,000 ranking points. A year ago, Sabalenka also won the Miami Open, defeating American Jessica Pegula 7:5, 6:2 in the final. Another Belarusian tennis player, Victoria Azarenka, has won the tournament three times—in 2009, 2011, and 2016.