Aryna Sabalenka Wins Miami Open as World No. 1, Joining Elite Company
Aryna Sabalenka secured her second title of 2025 at the Miami Open, defeating Jessica Pegula in the final. In doing so, she became just the fourth player this century to win the tournament while holding the world No. 1 ranking.
Let’s take a look at the other three players who have achieved this feat and their dominant runs to the title.
Martina Hingis – 2000
Martina Hingis kicked off the 21st century with an emphatic performance at the Miami Open, cruising to the title without dropping a single set.
- The Swiss star eased past Maureen Drake 6-3, 6-2 in the second round before defeating Anne-Gaelle Sidot.
- In the last 16, she faced a young Kim Clijsters, dispatching the future Grand Slam champion 6-0, 6-4.
- Hingis then defeated Amanda Coetzer 6-3, 6-1 in the quarter-finals.
- In the semi-finals, she delivered a stunning 6-0, 6-0 win over Monica Seles in just 39 minutes. After the match, Hingis acknowledged that Seles may not have been at her best: “Not everyone knows what’s going on behind the scenes. Monica just wasn’t herself today.”
- Hingis went on to defeat Lindsay Davenport 6-3, 6-2 in the final to claim the title.
Serena Williams – 2003, 2013, 2014, 2015
Serena Williams dominated the Miami Open throughout her career, winning the title a record eight times, including four as the world No. 1.
- 2003: Williams overcame a tough battle in the final against Jennifer Capriati, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
- 2013: She rallied from a set down to defeat Maria Sharapova 4-6, 6-3, 6-0—her 11th consecutive victory over the Russian.
- 2014: Williams claimed a record-breaking seventh Miami Open title by defeating Li Na 7-5, 6-1. Reflecting on her victory, she said: “Li Na was playing so well. I just needed to hang in there. The fans really pulled me through.”
- 2015: Williams continued her dominance, demolishing Carla Suárez Navarro 6-2, 6-0 in just 58 minutes. Suárez Navarro acknowledged Williams’ superiority: “When I play Serena, I know she’s the best. She makes me play bad.”
Ashleigh Barty – 2021
Ashleigh Barty’s 2021 Miami Open campaign showcased her resilience and skill as she battled through a tough draw.
- She opened with a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Kristina Kucova.
- Barty then defeated Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 6-2 in the third round.
- In the last 16, she navigated a tricky match against Victoria Azarenka, winning 6-1, 1-6, 6-2.
- Barty faced a major challenge in the quarter-finals but edged Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3.
- A comfortable 6-3, 6-3 win over Elina Svitolina sent her into the final.
- Against Bianca Andreescu, Barty led 6-3, 4-0 before Andreescu retired due to an ankle injury. “It’s brutal. It’s never the way you want to finish a match. I just feel for Bianca,” Barty said afterward.
Sabalenka now joins this elite group, cementing her place among the greats with her latest Miami Open triumph.
