Aryna Sabalenka finally achieved her dream of winning the U.S. Open, claiming victory in the women’s final against American Jessica Pegula. The Belarusian tennis star secured the title with a 7-5, 7-5 win, marking her first triumph at Flushing Meadows after years of coming close.
Sabalenka, who was the second seed, had fallen short in the final a year ago and reached the semi-finals twice before. However, on Saturday, she remained focused and determined, blocking out the enthusiastic cheers for hometown favorite Pegula at Arthur Ashe Stadium. She broke Pegula’s serve in the final game to clinch the win.
“So many times I thought I was so close to getting the U.S. Open title. Finally, I get this beautiful trophy,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on her hard-fought victory.
Jessica Pegula, who had reached her first major final at the age of 30, came into the match in excellent form after winning in Toronto. Despite the strong support from the New York crowd, she struggled to match Sabalenka’s powerful game. Pegula acknowledged her surprise at reaching the final, saying, “I didn’t expect it, so I’m just really grateful for the last few weeks of tennis.”
The match took place under a closed roof due to heavy rain, and both players traded breaks early on. Sabalenka held her serve through a challenging 11th game and then broke Pegula on the fifth set point to win the first set.
Pegula faced issues with her rackets throughout the match, expressing frustration with her coaches. Despite a strong fightback in the second set, where she won five consecutive games, Sabalenka regained control and ultimately secured the victory with a break in the final game.
Tears of joy flowed for Sabalenka as she claimed her third Grand Slam title, having previously won the Australian Open twice. She celebrated by running up the stands to share the moment with her team.
Reflecting on her journey, Sabalenka said, “I remember all those tough losses in the past here, and you know, it’s going to sound cheesy, but never give up on your dream and just keep trying.”
This win was especially sweet for Sabalenka after a challenging season that saw her sidelined by injury, missing both Wimbledon and the Paris Games. Despite the ups and downs, she remained proud of her resilience and her team’s support.
The New York crowd, which had a complicated relationship with Sabalenka in the past, gave her due credit for her achievement. Sabalenka acknowledged their support, saying, “Thank you so much for all the support throughout these two incredible weeks. You guys are really amazing and you make this place very special.”
