This past week on the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz showcased significant talent, as three of the Top 4 players in the PIF WTA Rankings competed for the Miami Open title.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka emerged victorious, achieving the first Sunshine Double on the WTA Tour since 2022, while Coco Gauff marked a major milestone by reaching her inaugural Miami Open final.
Here’s a recap of the key happenings on the WTA Tour last week, highlighting our favorite moments and essential news.
Star of the Week
Aryna Sabalenka
For Sabalenka, another tournament means another recognition as the star of the week. This week solidified what has been one of the finest months of her career.
After missing February, she made a triumphant return, winning her first Indian Wells and then clinching her second consecutive Miami title.
March was flawless for Sabalenka, as she didn’t drop a set until the final against Gauff. Recovering in the deciding set, she secured the Sunshine Double and reinforced her position at the top.
To claim the title, the four-time Grand Slam champion had to defeat two formidable opponents: first Elena Rybakina, whom she had beaten in a thrilling final just 11 days prior, and then Gauff, from whom she rallied in the third set to secure her 24th career title. This victory also improved her head-to-head against the American to 7-6.
Sabalenka is now among only five WTA players to complete the Sunshine Double and boasts a 23-1 record this season, leading the PIF Race to the WTA Finals Leaderboard.
Doubles Stars of the Week
Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova
Sabalenka wasn’t alone in achieving the Sunshine Double in Miami. Townsend and Siniakova triumphed over top seeds Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani with a score of 7-6 (0), 6-1, making them the sixth duo to win both Indian Wells and Miami in succession, following Sabalenka and Elise Mertens in 2019.
This victory marked their first Miami Open title.
Most Inspirational Performance of the Week
Coco Gauff
Entering the tournament, Gauff was not a guaranteed success as a top 5 seed. Following a recent retirement due to a left arm injury—a first-ever for her—she contemplated skipping Miami. However, given the proximity of her hometown Delray Beach and her desire to participate, she persevered despite discomfort.
Advancing to No. 3 in the world this week, Gauff battled through four tough three-set matches and ultimately reached the final against Sabalenka, showcasing her resilience and solidifying her form leading into the Clay-Court season.
Best Match of the Week
Elena Rybakina d. Jessica Pegula, Miami Open quarterfinals
Though the final between Sabalenka and Gauff was noteworthy, I’ll highlight the quarterfinal battle between Rybakina and Pegula. Rybakina started slow, losing the first set 6-2, but rebounded, serving excellently with 15 aces, and ultimately won 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Best Shot of the Week
Jelena Ostapenko’s running forehand winner
This selection was competitive, but fans ultimately chose Jelena Ostapenko’s remarkable running forehand winner down the line as the shot of the week.
Most Dominant Performance of the Week
Coco Gauff d. Karolina Muchova, Miami Open semifinals
After four intense three-set matches, Gauff astonished everyone by delivering a dominant performance against Muchova, winning 6-1, 6-1. This match underscored her remarkable progression into Top 3 form.
Biggest Movers of the Week
Hailey Baptiste and Talia Gibson
Following her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal in Miami, Baptiste ascended 12 spots in the PIF WTA Rankings to No. 33, while Gibson continued her impressive run by reaching the fourth round in Miami, also moving up 12 spots to No. 56, both achieving career-high rankings.
Best Social Moment of the Week
Nothing like that first bite…
After her fourth-round victory over Zheng Qinwen, a drained and hungry Sabalenka was thrilled to receive a Golden Glizzy, a gourmet hot dog that she had been eagerly anticipating. This moment was just as delightful as she had imagined it. Check out her reaction to the delicious treat below.
