Sabalenka reveals reasons for three-set victory over Gauff, heartfelt backstory behind post-match greeting to "Out" lady

The Miami Open 1000 women's singles final ended with Sabalenka defeating Gauff for the title, yet the Belarusian player's path to this championship was so challenging that surely no one feels it more deeply than she does.

From the score of Sabalenka's 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Gauff, it's evident this win did not come easily.

After the Belarusian took the first set 6-2, Gauff leveled the match by winning the second set 6-4, instantly causing Sabalenka's odds of winning to waver.

Some believed the American could potentially reverse the outcome because she secured the second set by forcing and converting a break point on Sabalenka's serve; equalizing the match score in such a manner undoubtedly boosts confidence and morale exponentially.

Due to this episode, even before the deciding set began, some of Sabalenka's supporters openly expressed that scenes from last year's French Open final flashed in their minds, fearing the Belarusian might be overturned by Gauff. In last year's Roland Garros final, Sabalenka, also after winning the first set and nearing the title, ultimately suffered a comeback by Gauff, leaving her heartbroken in Paris.

Moreover, another reason for concern about a Sabalenka reversal lies in their previous three final encounters: Gauff leads 2-1. The American won the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open, while Sabalenka's sole final victory over Gauff came at Madrid in 2025.

Fortunately for her supporters, Sabalenka ultimately withstanded the pressure. She not only started the deciding set strongly with a 2-0 lead but maintained her advantage throughout, sealing the set 6-3 and, by ending Gauff's nine-match winning streak in hardcourt finals, lifted the Miami Open 1000 women's singles trophy this year.

After the match, many fans and netizens admitted that after the first two sets ended evenly, tension palpably seeped through the screen; they were surprised Sabalenka managed to hold her nerve, proving she truly deserves her current world No.1 ranking.

Sabalenka's post-match revelation about how she overcame Gauff in the three-set battle earned even more admiration from many, who gave the Belarusian thumbs up: "I was very firm inside, I knew I was doing fine, it was just a few points difference. I kept telling myself to stay focused and do better next time—that was my mindset entering the third set."

The reason Sabalenka's words received such enthusiastic praise is that they profoundly illustrate the saying "victory belongs to the persevering." Sometimes a match tests not just technique and strategy, but whose mentality is stronger at crucial moments; evidently, in this aspect, the Belarusian was the standout in this Miami women's singles final.

During her post-match interview, Sabalenka also did something quite interesting—she directly addressed a lady in the crowd who shouted "Out."

Unraveling this incident further makes one realize how arduous Sabalenka's journey to this year's Miami women's singles title was, and the underlying reasons are truly poignant.

While some may view this championship battle as a contest of wits, courage, and tenacity between Sabalenka and Gauff, the Belarusian on court faced not only her American opponent but also the local American spectators.

It wasn't just that good shots received no applause; Sabalenka, while serving, was frequently subjected to a combination of boos and disruptions from the American crowd.

Most frustratingly, when Sabalenka was hitting, a female spectator on the stands loudly yelled "Out."

All these factors illustrate the complex and harsh environment Sabalenka endured in her championship pursuit. Thankfully, the Belarusian, accustomed to major stages, has forged a resilient mentality; had it been another ordinary player competing under such adverse conditions, external disturbances might have shattered them early.

Additionally, when addressing that "Out" lady, Sabalenka directly pointed out her behavior was wrong, while also apologizing to her because she herself had been somewhat rude, telling her to "shut up."（Source: Tennis Home Author: Moon River's Sky）