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Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
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Defending Champion Sabalenka and Gauff Meet for Miami Open Title

Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates her victory over Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are back on a big stage in the final of the Miami Open as their growing rivalry heats up.

Gauff, the South Floridian who beat Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open finals, will meet the top-seeded Belarusian at Hard Rock Stadium at 3 p.m. EDT.

This WTA 1000 final will mark their 13th meeting, with the series knotted at 6-6. They faced off three times in finals in 2025. Sabalenka won the last meeting in the group stage of the WTA Finals in November.

“We’ve played so many matches, and it’s physical when I play her every time," Gauff said. “She’s playing great tennis. She’s definitely world No. 1 for a reason and it’s going to be a great challenge."

Gauff is making her first Miami Open final appearance. The Delray Beach, Florida product had never made it past the fourth round in her hometown tournament.

“She’s a fighter,’’ The Associated Press quoted Sabalenka as saying. “She’s a great player. We played a lot of tight matches, a lot of big finals. She is an incredible player. I’m really excited to face her in the final. I think it’s going to be a great battle. I cannot wait to play that."

Sabalenka is attempting to win the “Sunshine Double” — the back-to-back March hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

Sabalenka won in California on March 15 with a three-set victory over Elena Rybakina. Gauff had to retire during her third-round match against Alexandra Eala in Indian Wells because of a nerve injury in her left forearm. Gauff said her team wanted to skip the Miami Open but she insisted.

"With Coco, you know that you have to play an extra ball, and the ball always comes back, sometimes not perfect, but it’s always back on your side," Sabalenka said. “She pushes you into the long rallies and I think that’s what makes her difficult.”

Sabalenka’s new residence is Miami and she has a strong Brazilian following because of her Brazilian fiance, Georgios Frangules.

“I’m super curious how the stadium is going to be on Saturday,’’ Sabalenka said. “It couldn’t be a better final. I feel happy for her that she’s finding her tennis back."

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Sports

Mexico, Portugal Draw 0-0 as Azteca Stadium Reopens After World Cup Renovations

Mexican fans cheer for their team during a friendly football match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte (formerly known as Azteca) Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (AFP)
Mexican fans cheer for their team during a friendly football match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte (formerly known as Azteca) Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (AFP)
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Mexico, Portugal Draw 0-0 as Azteca Stadium Reopens After World Cup Renovations

Mexican fans cheer for their team during a friendly football match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte (formerly known as Azteca) Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (AFP)
Mexican fans cheer for their team during a friendly football match between Mexico and Portugal at the Banorte (formerly known as Azteca) Stadium in Mexico City on March 28, 2026. (AFP)

Mexico and Portugal played to a scoreless draw on Saturday night in a warm-up match that marked the reopening of the Azteca Stadium after nearly two years of renovations for the 2026 World Cup.

Goncalo Ramos had the best scoring chance in the match when he rattled the goalpost in the 26th minute.

The iconic Azteca stadium, which hosted the finals of the 1970 and 1986 World Cup tournaments, has been closed since May 2024 for renovations for the upcoming World Cup, where it will host five matches: three first-round matches and two for the knockout stages.

On Saturday, the Mexicans were without 12 players through injury, including six starters that helped the team win the CONCACAF Nations League and the Gold Cup last year.

The Portuguese also faced the match with absences, most notably those of forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leão.

Mexico opens its tournament June 11 in Mexico City against South Africa in the opening match of the tournament.

The Mexicans will play against Belgium next Tuesday at Soldier Field in Chicago, while Portugal face the United States at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Portugal will make its debut in the World Cup on June 17 against the winner of the intercontinental playoffs match between Jamaica and Congo.

Sports

Kit Confusion: US and Belgian Players Can’t Tell Which Team’s Jersey Is Which from Distance

Alexis Saelemaekers #22 of Belgium is challenged by Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
Alexis Saelemaekers #22 of Belgium is challenged by Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
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Kit Confusion: US and Belgian Players Can’t Tell Which Team’s Jersey Is Which from Distance

Alexis Saelemaekers #22 of Belgium is challenged by Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)
Alexis Saelemaekers #22 of Belgium is challenged by Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States during the International Friendly match between United States and Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images/AFP)

Christian Pulisic couldn't figure out teammates from opposing Belgians in a friendly with kit confusion.

“That can’t happen. It was a bit strange,” the US star said after Saturday's 5-2 loss to Belgium.

The US wore its new Nike jerseys with red and white horizontal stripes that resemble a waving flag, an apparent homage to American jerseys at the 1994 World Cup with vertical red-and-white stripes.

Belgium had on its new Adidas road jerseys with a background of a light color called Frozen Blue mixed with pink and black trim, a tribute to surrealist artist René Magritte.

“It definitely was a little bit difficult whenever you do like a quick glance to tell which was which. It was almost like a 50-50 thing,” American midfielder Weston McKennie said. “So you definitely have to maybe take a little more time on the ball before you made a decision or play one touch to a player.”

Both teams exchanged uniform plans well ahead of the match, according to the US Soccer Federation, and the outfits were cleared before the game by the match officials.

Belgium’s home jersey in a solid red while the US’s other is dark blue with a subtle star pattern and red trim, which it plans to wear for Tuesday’s friendly against Portugal.

While the flawed fashions became apparent during the first half, neither team had different sets of jerseys on site they could switch to at the break.

Decisions could depend on shorts — the US wore blue and Belgium white. The Americans had white socks and the Belgians blue.

Players hadn't been concerned about the game's sartorial aspects.

“I didn’t know until we took off the pre-match, whatever, shirts and then saw it and I was like — everyone was a bit shocked,” Pulisic said. “A lot of times you get the ball, you look up, you can’t really lock in on something. You only can base it off the color of the shirt. That’s how it works. And when it’s very similar, it's difficult.”

Sports

Moriyasu Hails Japan’s Late Tactical Switch as Ito Sinks Scotland 1-0 Amid Hampden Boos

Hajime Moriyasu head coach of Japan gestures during the international friendly soccer match between Scotland and Japan in Glasgow, Britain, 28 March 2026. (EPA)
Hajime Moriyasu head coach of Japan gestures during the international friendly soccer match between Scotland and Japan in Glasgow, Britain, 28 March 2026. (EPA)
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Moriyasu Hails Japan’s Late Tactical Switch as Ito Sinks Scotland 1-0 Amid Hampden Boos

Hajime Moriyasu head coach of Japan gestures during the international friendly soccer match between Scotland and Japan in Glasgow, Britain, 28 March 2026. (EPA)
Hajime Moriyasu head coach of Japan gestures during the international friendly soccer match between Scotland and Japan in Glasgow, Britain, 28 March 2026. (EPA)

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu hailed his team's tactical flexibility after a late Junya Ito strike secured a 1-0 victory over Scotland in a pre- World Cup friendly at Hampden Park, leaving the home side facing a chorus of boos.

In a key warm-up for their eighth successive World Cup appearance, the Samurai Blue overcame a bright Scotland start to dominate the second half. Substitute Ito proved the difference in the 84th minute with a clinical finish from 12 yards to settle a tight contest.

While Scotland manager Steve Clarke admitted he was “surprised and disappointed” by the negative reaction from the Tartan Army, Moriyasu focused on his side’s defensive discipline and late clinical edge.

“I am very pleased to play in such a fantastic atmosphere,” Moriyasu said. “It was a tough game and we managed to keep a clean sheet. Toward the end, we changed the setup to get the goal. It was great for building confidence.”

The visitors survived an early scare when Zion Suzuki pushed a Scott McTominay effort onto the post, but Japan gradually asserted control. Kodai Sano clipped the bar before the break, and the pressure eventually told when Ito got the breakthrough.

The result leaves Scotland winless in four meetings against Japan as both sides prepare for the World Cup in North America starting in June.

Japan plays England at Wembley Stadium in London on Tuesday.