Aryna Sabalenka edges tense battle with Coco Gauff to triumph in Miami Open final

• Sabalenka wins 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to land Sunshine Double

• Belarusian steadies herself after losing second set

Aryna Sabalenka had many reasons to believe that history could have been grimly repeating itself on Saturday afternoon. Despite starting her Miami Open final against Coco Gauff striking the ball with clear-minded aggression, the complexion of the match rapidly changed. Suddenly, having been pulled into a tense final set, she was struggling to hold on.

Similar scenarios played out in her two most important matches against Gauff, and both times Sabalenka had pitifully crumbled under pressure in the final set. For all her imperfections, though, the Belarusian’s career has been defined by her desperation to improve. Here, she maintained her composure as she underlined her status as the best player in the world by edging out Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in a quality battle to win the Miami Open for the second year in a row.

Continue reading…