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<\/p>\nCoco Gauff fell short in the Miami Open final, but still put up a strong showing against Aryna Sabalenka.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka took the title after three sets, and in doing so, became just the fifth woman to complete the Sunshine Double.<\/p>\n
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After a strong opening set from Sabalenka, it looked like she was on track for a straightforward win. But Gauff found her form and pushed the match into a decider. In that final set, Sabalenka took control again to finish the job.<\/p>\n
With her victory, Sabalenka now stands alongside Iga Swiatek, Victoria Azarenka, Kim Clijsters and Steffi Graf as players who have won both Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back in a single season.<\/p>\n
While Gauff didn\u2019t come away with the trophy, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli believes there were still plenty of positives to take from how she performed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Photo by Chris Arjoon\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Marion Bartoli Weighs In On Gauff\u2019s Miami Open Final<\/p>\n
Speaking on Sky Sports, Bartoli praised Gauff\u2019s efforts: \u201cShe came up a little short, but the way she was able to find a way in the second set to steal a set was incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt was total dominance in the first set from Aryna, winning so much. It showed incredible mentality and heart, and that is why she has already won two Grand Slams.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause she is a tough competitor, with her heart, with her fight, with her backhand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved the fact today she was using her slice serve a lot. That should be a pattern she is going to use on clay as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is the Roland Garros defending champion, but she can build momentum to include this, and the way she was able to hold on to that serve and forehand today was a positive she can take.\u201d<\/p>\n
Breaking down Coco Gauff\u2019s start to the 2026 season<\/p>\n
Gauff\u2019s run to the final in Miami was the highlight of what had been a mixed start to her year.<\/p>\n
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She began the season with a quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open, but then suffered an early exit in Qatar.<\/p>\n
There was a good semi-final showing in Dubai, but that was followed by another early loss at Indian Wells, where she fell in the third round.<\/p>\n
Despite dropping sets along the way, she reached the semi-finals and then defeated Karolina Muchova in straight sets. But Sabalenka proved too strong for her in the final. It still represented an improvement from earlier results.<\/p>\n
Read more:<\/p>\n
Coco Gauff explains how Alysa Liu inspired her at the Miami Open this year
<\/a>Why Gauff has the edge over Sabalenka heading into the Miami Open final
<\/a>Coco Gauff told key tactics to beat Sabalenka in Miami final
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