Aryna Sabalenka won her first US Open title on Saturday after a 7-5, 7-5 victory over American Jessica Pegula. This is her third Grand Slam title, all three on hardcourt surfaces, as she has won two consecutive Australian Open trophies.
Sabalenka had reached the semifinals at Flushing Meadows two years in a row and was second last year, but promised to do better this time. Saturday saw a rematch of the Cincinnati Open final, which Sabalenka also won in straight sets. She now leads the all-time series against Pegula 6-2.
Sabalenka got going at the start of the game and took a 5-2 lead in the first set. Her incredible power and aggressive play style make things difficult for her opponents, but sometimes get them into trouble. In the first set she had 25 winners but also 23 unforced errors. It almost cost them enough for Pegula to break serve to get back to 5-5 before it was broken just before a possible tiebreak.
“I'm speechless at the moment because, as you said, I thought so many times that I was so close to winning the US Open title. That was always a dream of mine,” said Sabalenka. “And finally I get this beautiful trophy. It means a lot to me that it’s been a very difficult few weeks.”
“Speaking of Jessica: I know how difficult it was in the final, but you are showing great tennis and I am more than sure you will get one. I mean, not one, maybe more, but let's get started.” A Grand Slam. Congratulations on a great summer. I just prayed to get this victory.
Sabalenka won the first three games of the second set with ease, and that was a wake-up call for Pegula. The American won the next five to get herself back into contention. Sabalenka didn't look as strong as she did in the first set, but she stopped Pegula's momentum with a serve. Pegula served out the second set at 5-4, but Sabalenka got the break, held again and won the title with a final break of serve.
Both seemed to play better from the back and continued to exchange momentum, but Sabalenka was too close to the trophy to let it slip from her hands.
Sabalenka is now the 53rd player with at least three major titles, just behind Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka among active players.
Despite the loss, this was an incredible run for Pegula. She posted a 0-6 record in the major quarterfinals at that tournament, but eventually made a breakthrough. She has struggled with several injuries throughout her career, but at 30 she has come further than ever before, giving Sabalenka the toughest matches she has ever seen in the tournament.
“She played fantastic hard court tennis, if not the best hard court player in the world. I knew it would be challenging and hard,” Pegula said. “She’s super strong, she throws her punches. She definitely won't give you anything out of your hands. In the end it wasn't enough. I'm glad I could say I gave myself chances.
