3 titles: Pete Sampras, Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka
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The Miami Open can boast of three former World No. 1s as its three-time winners. The latest of them to grab the Butch Buchholz trophy is of course Azarenka, who was crowned the champion this Saturday. Her earlier wins came in 2009 (defeated Serena) and in 2011 (defeated Maria Sharapova).
It is a landmark achievement for the 26-year-old as it made her just the third woman to complete the much-coveted Indian Wells-Miami double. Only Steffi Graf and Kim Clijsters had managed it prior to this.
1998 was the beginning of what was to be a near two-decade long domination by the Williams sisters at their home event. Venus, then a sprightly 17-year-old, outlasted the top seed and defending champion Martina Hingis in the semi-finals to set up a final showdown with Anna Kournikova. The elder Williams sister overcame a tough challenge from the Russian for her maiden Miami crown.
The next year, Venus returned to defeat Serena 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the final which was the first ever summit showdown between the two sisters.
Her third title and perhaps, the most memorable one came in 2001 in a hard-fought three-set final win over Jennifer Capriati. Venus saved as many as eight match points in the deciding set to claim the 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) victory.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras collected his first trophy in 1993 in an easy 6-3, 6-2 win over compatriot MaliVai Washington.
The following year, Miami witnessed a rivalry that would blossom to become a legendary one. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, each of whom would go on to join the pantheon of greats, played out their ninth career meeting here. With his huge serve, it was Sampras who reigned supreme, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.
Six years later after coming back from niggling injuries, Sampras regained the title in a four-set thriller over Gustavo Kuerten.
