Sabalenka Defeats Pegula To Win U.S. Open Title

One year ago, on the same court and in the same position, Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka let a one-set lead in the U.S. Open finals slip away, eventually losing to American Coco Gauff in three sets.

On Saturday, she was once again in the finals and playing an American, but would not let the same thing happen twice.

The second-seeded Sabalenka held off any comeback attempt from sixth-seeded Jessica Pegula, who was playing in her first major final, defeating the Buffalo native 7-5, 7-5 to win the third major of her career, and her first U.S. Open title.

“It’s also very special place here [at] the U.S. Open,” said Sabalenka. “I also had a lot of tough losses in the past. I was always hoping that one day I’ll be able to hold this beautiful trophy. It’s been always my dream. That’s why it’s very special, because no matter what, every time I was coming back stronger, and I was learning, I never gave up on this dream. It means a lot.”

The match was competitive deep into the first set, but as Pegula attempted to serve to stay in the opener, Sabalenka reipped a backhand winner to secure the break and take the first set.

Sabalenka carried that momentum into the second set and jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but Pegula would not give in. The American would rally to the next five games, and had an opportunity to serve it out at 5-4 to force a deciding third set, but Sabalenka saw the finish line in her sights.

She ripped a backhand winner on break point to even things at 5-5, and then after calmly holding for 6-5, she used her massive forehand to push Pegula around the court as Pegula tried to serve to force a tiebreaker.

On her second match point, Sabalenka closed things out and collapsed onto the court in celebration.

“I don’t know how to describe that feeling,” Sabalenka said. “You’re crying, you’re laughing, you’re just, you know, you feel all these emotions at the same time. That’s the best feeling. I really wish everyone could or can experience that.”

Sabalenka now adds a U.S. Open title to her two Australian Open titles (2023, 2024).

For Pegula, while Saturday’s loss was disappointing, there are positives for her to take away. Coming into the U.S. Open, Pegula was 0-6 in her previous six major quarterfinals, a streak she snapped with a win over top-seed Iga Swiatek, and took it one step further by downing Karolina Muchova in the semifinals.

“I think for sure I will take a lot of confidence from this in maybe like an hour or two, because like I said, I’m kind of annoyed,” Pegula said in her post-match press conference. “Not even annoyed losing the tournament. I think it’s more just I was looking at it at, like, I just wanted to win the match. Now there is things that are just in my head that I feel I should have done better and stuff like that. But like I said, I think that will pass in a little bit.”

Sabalenka holds her spot at No. 2 in the WTA Rankings, while Pegula jumps up three spots to No.3 in the world, which equals the highest ranking of her career.