For Aryna Sabalenka, hard courts are her preferred battleground, the surface where her powerful style of play truly shines.

Her dominant performance in the Miami Open final, securing a 7-5, 6-2 victory against Jessica Pegula, confirms her peak form. Currently, on fast hard courts, she appears to be in a league of her own.

Pegula, ranked No. 4 in the Hologic WTA Tour, and who could have climbed to No. 3 with a win, is also known for her hard-court prowess. However, Sabalenka has consistently outperformed her, winning their last seven out of eight encounters, all in straight sets.

In a critical moment during the first set, with the score tied at 5-5 and Sabalenka trailing 0-15 on her serve, she demonstrated unwavering resolve. She proceeded to win the next nine points, seizing the set and ultimately the match in approximately 40 more minutes.

Pegula acknowledged Sabalenka`s ability to elevate her game during crucial moments. She noted this as the key differentiator in their recent matches, including their Miami final.

Over the past two years at hard-court Grand Slam events, betting on Sabalenka against any other player in the field of 127 would have been successful three out of every five times. Her dominance in women`s tennis is evident in several key statistics. Sabalenka boasts:

  • A commanding 10,541 points in the PIF WTA rankings, exceeding No. 2 Iga Swiatek by over 3,000 points. Notably, she has no points to defend at Wimbledon.
  • The most match wins this year among women (23), including the most straight-set victories (20), and has reached the most finals (four).
  • A 12-2 record against Top 10 players since last year, and she leads the tour with 716 winners this year.

Adding to her impressive season, Sabalenka reached the finals of the Australian Open and Indian Wells and became only the third woman to reach the finals in Melbourne, Indian Wells, and Miami in the same season.

En route to her first Miami Open title, achieved on her seventh attempt, Sabalenka overcame three Top 10 players: No. 4 Pegula, No. 7 Jasmine Paolini, and No. 9 Zheng Qinwen. This was only the second time in her career she has accomplished this feat. Across her six matches, she conceded a mere 30 games.

At 26 years old, Sabalenka is in elite company, joining Victoria Azarenka and Serena Williams as the only players to have won more hard-court WTA 1000 titles, with Sabalenka holding six. It appears she is just beginning to reach her full potential.

Sabalenka`s powerful game has undergone subtle yet effective improvements. While her ace count may have decreased, she has become a more precise server by targeting her serves with greater control. Her use of drop shots has increased, and most significantly, her slice has become a major asset. Against Pegula, nearly 20% of her shots were slices. This tactical variety enhances the effectiveness of her powerful topspin groundstrokes.

Pegula observed that Sabalenka`s movement has improved, and the addition of slices and drop shots has enhanced her overall game. While her aggressive style is well-recognized, Pegula believes it`s the integration of these nuanced shots that makes her aggressive play even more potent.

Following her victory, Sabalenka shared her thoughts:

Why was winning your first Miami title, in a place you`ve called home for over three years, so significant?

Sabalenka: It was crucial because I didn`t perform my best in the last couple of finals, and I wanted to avoid letting that affect me mentally. I`m incredibly happy that I managed my emotions and played my best. Also, winning at home is fantastic. Having this trophy at home is very meaningful and will always evoke wonderful memories.

Statistics show you used slices almost 20% of the time. How does this tactic make you a more challenging opponent?

Sabalenka: I value variety in my game. It`s essential to have different tools in my arsenal. Simply overpowering opponents isn`t enough to be the best. We`ve worked diligently to incorporate these elements, and seeing the numbers is very rewarding and important for us. We will continue to refine and expand the variety in my game.

Fun Fact: Since your tour debut in 2017, you`ve won the most hard-court titles (17), five more than Iga Swiatek, who is second. Your thoughts?

Sabalenka: That`s incredible! But if we look at clay-court stats, I`d likely be far behind Iga. It`s impressive to see and means a lot because I dedicate myself to hard work. Seeing these outcomes is truly amazing.

You`re over 3,000 points ahead of No. 2 Swiatek in the rankings and have no Wimbledon points to defend due to last year`s absence. That must feel good?

Sabalenka: To be honest, I`m not really focused on that. But it is a significant points gap. I`ll continue to concentrate on my own improvement and ensure I bring my best performance every time. I hope to keep extending my lead [laughing] in points.

How excited are you for the upcoming clay season?

Sabalenka: I`m starting in Stuttgart, then Madrid, Rome, and Paris. I enjoy playing on clay. While some question my clay-court game, I know I can perform well. We`ll prioritize fitness to ensure I can sustain long rallies throughout matches. I`m excited and hopeful for strong performances.

You reached two clay finals last year (Madrid and Rome). Will you win a clay title this year?

Sabalenka: [Laughs] Good question! I wish I could confidently say yes. I can`t predict the future, but I`ll definitely bring high energy and fight for every point. And I hope – I hope – to win those beautiful trophies.