Aryna Sabalenka Defeats Jessica Pegula to Reach US Open Final
Aryna Sabalenka has booked her place in the US Open final after a hard-fought win over Jessica Pegula in New York.
The defending champion recovered from losing the first set to prevail 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday night inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. She will face Amanda Anisimova in Saturday’s final.
If victorious, Sabalenka will be the first woman since Serena Williams to successfully defend the US Open title, with Williams winning three in a row from 2012 to 2014.
«I think I really played great tennis,» Sabalenka said. «I think I handled that pressure really well. I’m super proud of this win.»
Pegula capitalised on errors to take the opening set but could not keep pace as Sabalenka powered through the next two. The Belarusian struck 43 winners compared to Pegula’s 21, sealing the contest on her third match point.
Sabalenka, who has topped the rankings for 42 weeks, is chasing her first Grand Slam of the season after falling short in Melbourne, Paris and at Wimbledon. Victory on Saturday would deliver her back-to-back titles in Flushing Meadows and cement her dominance on hard courts.
