Aryna Sabalenka beat American Jessica Pegula to win her first U.S. Open singles title, one year after squandering a lead in the final.
Sabalenka, a 26-year-old from Belarus, prevailed 7-5, 7-5 over Pegula, a 30-year-old who made it past the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time. The No. 2 seed Sabalenka, now a three-time Slam singles champ, said after the semifinals that she learned her lesson from 2023.
In last year’s final, she won the first set but lost in three to American Coco Gauff. “So many times, I thought I was so close to get a U.S.
Open title,” said Sabalenka, who also lost three-set semifinals in 2021 and 2022. “It’s always been a dream of mine. Finally, I got this beautiful trophy.
” ARYNA SABALENKA REIGNS SUPREME IN NEW YORK! pic.twitter.com/rVEGvuBMe4 She said she improved her ability to control her emotions.
Time after time on Saturday, Sabalenka endured the pressure moments playing in front of a crowd that was again mostly in her opponent’s corner. In the first set, Sabalenka led 5-2 before Pegula fought back to reach 5-all. Sabalenka then saved a break point to avoid allowing Pegula to serve for the set.
In the second set, Sabalenka won the first three games, then lost the next five. She rallied, winning the last four games. “I wish she would have at least let me get one set,” joked Pegula, who lost another final to Sabalenka last month 6-3, 7-5.
“She can take the racket out of your hands a lot of times.” Sabalenka has gone 27.