Aryna Sabalenka reveals prediction for Miami Open final against Coco Gauff as rivalry resumes

Aryna Sabalenka said she is preparing for “a lot of emotions” in her Miami Open final against Coco Gauff as the World No 1 stands on the brink of completing a historic “Sunshine Double” in Florida.

Sabalenka returned to the Miami Open final with a 6-4 6-3 victory over Elena Rybakina on Thursday, her second consecutive win over the World No 2 after saving match point to beat her in the Indian Wells final earlier this month.

Sabalenka will now face Gauff in a rematch of last season’s Roland Garros final, where Sabalenka criticised her opponent’s style of play after the American won 6-7 6-2 6-3 to lift her second grand slam title.

Sabalenka and Gauff have only played once since then, with the Belarusian levelling their head-to-head at six wins each with a 7-6 6-2 win at the WTA Finals towards the end of last season.

Gauff, who thrashed the in-form Karolina Muchova 6-1 6-1 to reach her first Miami Open final, has previously given Sabalenka difficulty through her ability to retrieve and get the extra ball in play.

“A lot of rallies, a lot of emotions, a lot of aggression, a lot of fun,” Sabalenka said when asked what she will expect in the final. “It’s going to be a battle and I’m super excited to play her in another final.”

With her impressive 79-minute victory over Rybakina, Sabalenka reached her fourth consecutive final this year and improved her record this season to 22-1. After losing to Rybakina in last season’s WTA Finals and the Australian Open, she has now beaten the World No 2 in consecutive meetings.

“I really enjoy our rivalry,” said Sabalenka during her on-court interview. “She’s an incredible player, always pushing me to the limit, and you know, with her, you always have to bring your best tennis.

“I think I did everything right, and she played great, but I think I pushed her so much and I’m proud of this win. It’s always tough physically, mentally, and I’m happy to get another win against her.”

Sabalenka is bidding to become just the fifth woman to win Indian Wells and the Miami Open back-to-back, and the first since Iga Swiatek in 2022. Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka and Steffi Graf, who won the ‘Sunshine Double’ twice in 1994 and 1996, are the only other players to have achieved the feat.