Aryna Sabalenka claims record eighth WTA 1000 title at Miami Open

Aryna Sabalenka won the Miami Open on Saturday in Florida, racing past Jessica Pegula in straight sets to extend her dominance over the American in big finals.

Tennis betting sites had Sabalenka as a $1.30 favourite to win her 8th WTA 1000 title, with the world No.1 having already beaten Pegula twice in recent months.

The Belarusian had to work hard this time, however, losing her serve three times in the opening set.

She returned brilliantly though and managed to come out on top in the crucial points, winning 7-5, 6-2 and improving to 7-2 in the pair’s head-to-head.
“I’m super happy to have this trophy,” Sabalenka said after the match.

“Finally, I was able to play my best tennis in the final, and I’m just super happy with the result and with the performance, I’d say, these months.

“Honestly going into this match, I had the mentality that no matter what happens, if she’s going break me, I had the mentality to stay there, to focus on myself, to fight for every point no matter what.

“I didn’t want to lose another final, to be honest.

“It’s really tough to lose in the final.

“So if someone would say that, I’d be, like, okay, it’s going to be a battle, I’m ready for that.”

Pegula pinpointed Sabalenka’s ability to step up when it mattered as the separating factor between the two players in her post-match comments.
“Super tough final today,” Pegula said.

“Aryna played high level again.

“I feel like she just keeps coming up with raising her level in key moments of the match when she needs to.

“I feel like that was the big difference today and the last few times I have played her.”

The WTA 1000 title extends Sabalenka’s lead at the top of the women’s rankings, with the 26-year-old now sitting more than 3,000 points clear of Iga Swiatek.

She also improves her odds across the top online bookmakers heading into the season’s next Grand Slam, paying $5 to win the French Open.

Swiatek remains the heavy favourite to win the clay major, priced at $1.57 to claim the title at BetOnline.

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