Sabalenka Triumphs at Last: Claims U.S. Open Title with Win Over Pegula
Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka finally secured her long-awaited victory at the U.S. Open, defeating American sixth seed Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a gripping women’s final on Saturday. The win not only marks Sabalenka’s first title at Flushing Meadows after years of near misses, including two previous semi-final exits but also solidifies her position among tennis’s elite, adding another Grand Slam to her growing collection.
Sabalenka’s Journey to Victory
Sabalenka’s road to glory wasn’t easy. Facing an in-form Pegula, backed by a loud home crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the second-seeded Sabalenka fought back from a breakdown in both sets to claim victory. Despite the electric atmosphere, Sabalenka remained composed, ultimately breaking Pegula in the final game of both sets to lift the trophy.
“So many times, I thought I was close to getting the U.S. Open title. Finally, I got this beautiful trophy,” Sabalenka said, overwhelmed by the moment. She collapsed to the court in triumph, celebrating her third Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open twice.
Pegula’s First Major Final
For Pegula, the final was a significant milestone in her career, as she reached her first Grand Slam final at the age of 30. Entering the tournament on the heels of a victory in Toronto, Pegula had high hopes but could not withstand Sabalenka’s raw power, despite the vociferous support from the New York crowd. Her achievement at this stage of her career is a testament to her dedication and skill.
“To be standing here in my first Grand Slam final and coming off such a hot summer, I mean, I didn’t expect it, so I’m just really grateful for the last few weeks of tennis,” Pegula reflected after the match.
A Stormy Affair on Arthur Ashe
The final was played under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium due to heavy rain, adding to the tension of the match. Both players traded breaks twice, with Pegula struggling to maintain her rhythm as she adjusted her rackets throughout the contest. The closed roof amplified the sound of the crowd, making for a truly electrifying atmosphere. Sabalenka, however, remained steady, breaking Pegula on her fifth set point to take the first set 7-5.
Sabalenka surged to a 3-0 lead in the second set, but Pegula mounted a fierce comeback, winning five consecutive games to take a 5-3 lead. Yet Sabalenka, undeterred, broke Pegula’s serve to level the score and then broke again in the final game to seal the win.
“I didn’t expect her to come back with such a high level after I led 3-love,” Sabalenka admitted. “But I’m happy I could hold my serve when I was down 5-3. That gave me the belief I could close the match in two sets.”
A Moment of Redemption
After clinching her long-awaited U.S. Open title, Sabalenka was visibly emotional, recalling her past losses at Flushing Meadows. “It’s going to sound cheesy, but never give up on your dream and just keep trying,” she said. The victory was especially sweet after a mid-season injury that forced her to miss Wimbledon and the Paris Games.
“I’m super proud of myself and my team. No matter what challenges we faced this season, we got through them,” Sabalenka said as she celebrated with her team.
Looking Ahead: Men’s Final on Sunday
As Sabalenka basked in her victory, U.S. fans shifted their focus to the men’s final on Sunday, where Taylor Fritz will face Italian top seed Jannik Sinner. The American hopeful will attempt to end a 21-year drought for American men in major tennis tournaments.
Sabalenka’s U.S. Open victory not only marks a personal triumph but also solidifies her position among tennis’s elite, adding another Grand Slam to her growing collection.