Sabalenka made the ideal start with a break of the Pegula serve to lead 2-0 but the American, who ended the dream run of Filipino teenager Alexandra Eala in the semi-finals, hit back by winning three games in a row. Back came Sabalenka to lead 5-3 only for the Belarusian to falter trying to serve out the set, allowing Pegula to level once more.

Aryna Sabalenka has joked that she doesn’t want to “become an alcoholic” after lifting the Miami Open trophy. The world No. 1 beat Jessica Pegula to claim her 19th career title on Saturday night and quickly started planning her celebrations, including some well-deserved drinks.

Aryna Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, defeated Jessica Pegula on Saturday to cap off an impressive run at the Miami Open with a title, as the No. 1 seed from Belarus rolled to a 7-5, 6-2 victory in a rematch of the 2024 US Open final.