Aryna Sabalenka, without mercy. Belarus is the champion in Miami and has achieved an amazing record this year
In 2026, Aryna Sabalenka managed to complete the Indian Wells – Miami double (called the Sunshine Double), defending her title at the WTA 1000 tournament in Florida, after winning the one in California for the first time. The Belarusian defeated Coco Gauff in the final last night, score 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 and reached an incredible record this year.
Aryna Sabalenka has no mercy on her opponents. Photo EPA EFE
The world leader has 23 victories from 24 games this year, two of which were against representatives of Romania, Sorana Cîrstea (Brisbane) and Jaqueline Cristian (Indian Wells). She has only one loss in 2026 – her most painful – in the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina. He played in the finals of all 4 tournaments he started this year, and all the successes until the last act came in minimum sets. So, out of the 24 matches, 21 were won in two sets, 3 in three sets, and one was lost in three sets.
Sabalenka, detached leader in the WTA ranking
At the Miami Open, the Belarusian marched until the last act, where she met Coco Gauff, a player who always gave her problems. This time he beat her, equalizing the situation in head-to-head matches (6-6). However, the American has a moral advantage over the Belarusian: she took two Grand Slam titles (at the US Open 2023 and Roland Garros 2025) and lost two of the lower category, WTA 1000 (Madrid 2025 and Miami 2026).
Aryna Sabalenka has consolidated her leading position in the WTA rankings, going from tomorrow to put almost 3,000 points more than the 2nd place, Elena Rybakina. The third player in the world will be Cco Gauff, who will remove Iga Swiatek from the podium of the updated ranking. However, the Pole can return to the top considering that her favorite season, the one on clay, is starting.
