Photo credit: WTA

Aryna Sabalenka is making herself right at home in Miami—literally and figuratively. The World No. 1 stormed into her first Miami Open final with a dominant 6-2, 6-2 win over Italy’s Jasmina Paolini, never dropping serve and sealing her spot in just 71 minutes. This marks her 12th career WTA 1000 final, and it’s safe to say, she’s in the zone.

Home Sweet Home—And a Historic Run

Miami has become a bit of a home tournament for Sabalenka, who now lives in South Florida. She’s been loving the perks—sleeping in her own bed, driving her own car, and even doing laundry (a rare luxury on tour!). But despite the comfort, success at this event had always eluded her. Until now.

With her quarterfinal win over Zheng Qinwen—her seventh straight victory against the reigning Olympic gold medalist—Sabalenka broke new ground. And against Paolini, she kept that momentum rolling, winning their third straight matchup without dropping a set.

A Final Worth the Wait

Sabalenka was locked in from the start, controlling the match with six aces and four break points converted. The score was tied just twice—both at 1-1 in each set—before she put her foot on the gas and never looked back.

“I definitely say that this was one of the best matches of the season so far,” Sabalenka said post-match. “I don’t know. I was just so focused on myself, on the things I had to do today. It felt like everything was just, like, going smoothly my way.”

With this win, she becomes just the sixth woman in the past two decades to reach the finals of both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season, joining an elite list that includes Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina.

Pegula Battles Past Eala to Set Up a Rematch

In the other semifinal, Jessica Pegula had a much tougher road, outlasting teenage sensation Alexandra Eala in a grueling 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-3 battle that stretched past midnight.

The Filipino wild card had been on a dream run, knocking out top players like Madison Keys and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek. She even had Pegula on the ropes early, leading 5-2 in the first set. But the American clawed back, taking the set in a tiebreak and ultimately grinding out the win in just under two and a half hours.

“She’s really good,” Pegula said of Eala. “She competes really well, she’s beaten a lot of top players this week. We’re definitely going to see more of her.”

The Final Showdown

Now, it’s Sabalenka versus Pegula for the title. The World No. 1 holds a 6-2 head-to-head record over Pegula and has beaten her in two big finals already—Cincinnati and the US Open last year. But Pegula isn’t backing down.

“I definitely know I’ll get some chances if I play some good tennis,” she said. “I just have to take advantage of them.”

Will Sabalenka complete her Miami breakthrough, or can Pegula finally turn the tide? One thing’s for sure—the final is set to be a battle.