Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff fought out a breath-taking Miami Open final, with both players displaying their ability and intense competitiveness

Aryna Sabalenka has admitted she is "not proud" of her "angry" reaction to a loud spectator during her Miami Open final victory against Coco Gauff. Both players battled over the course of three intense sets in Florida, but it was the World No. 1 who prevailed 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Sabalenka arrived into the final in Florida hoping to complete the Sunshine Double, having been victorious at Indian Wells, but Gauff came into the contest having played some excellent tennis in the previous rounds. The American was also competing in the final as a proud Floridian and had the backing of the supporters within the Hard Rock Stadium as well as her passionate family in the player's box.

Gauff's supporters were so enthusiastic it began to irk Sabalenka, according to Wimbledon winner Marion Bartoli, who believed the Belarusian became "angry" at the noise in the crowd. After Sabalenka secured the Sunshine Double, she admitted her reaction may have been over the top.

She said: "I got a bit frustrated at one moment, definitely not proud of what I yelled, but come on, you cannot do that. I had a lot of support here as well, I feel like a local here, I knew what to expect going into this match and I really enjoyed it. Even though they were cheering for her, I felt like they were cheering for great tennis and I felt the respect and I am really grateful."

Sabalenka's unhappy reaction was noticed by Bartoli. One of Gauff's siblings, who provided her loud encouragement throughout the opening five games, appeared to irk her. Gauff came through a tense service game, saving three break points to reach 2-3 in the first set, still down a single break.

As they made their way to their benches for the changeover, Bartoli, who was courtside, said: "Very interesting first five games, and very interesting to hear the box of Coco Gauff speaking to her after every point.

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"Aryna Sabalenka still up a break. It's very tight in this match, and we had some of an angry look from Aryna Sabalenka toward Coco Gauff because she thought that one of Coco's brothers was a bit too loud, so it's getting a bit spicy in here!"

Gauff might have been able to survive one challenging service game, but she eventually succumbed to the relentless Belarusian, who broke her again to serve for the set. The No. 1 seed channelled any frustrations into the court and swiftly closed out the set 6-2 in less than 40 minutes.

In a difficult first set, Gauff hit three double faults and lost her serve on the opening game. After the tough first set, it was not unnoticed by Bartoli that Gauff's supporters box turned up the volume in a bid to spark something in Gauff.

"It's not easy because we are very close to her player's box and there is not really any tactical advice from her player's box, it's just really encouragement, but she feels a bit lost, to be honest with you, on the court," Bartoli said after the American went a set down.

"She just said before the return on the backhands that she missed, that she was not even aiming for the return of serve, so I think she's feeling the pace from Aryna Sabalenka, that disturbs her a lot."

Gauff raised her level in set two. The 22-year-old roared as she held serve to get on the board again, ending Sabalenka's run of three games. Then, she started to apply pressure to the world No. 1's serve and earned her first break point of the match.

The No. 4 seed couldn't capitalise on it, however. She found the return on a second serve but sent the ball into the net during the rally and Sabalenka held on. The second set was significantly tighter, and Gauff had to fend off a couple of break points.

Then, with Sabalenka serving to remain in the set, the American had another chance to break. This time, she went after the second serve, and Sabalenka couldn't return the ball into play. Gauff let out a roar and pumped her fist as she claimed the 54-minute set 6-4 to push for a deciding set.

However, Sabalenka grabbed the momentum in set three by breaking the American twice and winning it 6-3, retaining her Miami Open title and completing the Sunshine Double.