Aryna Sabalenka Ousts Pegula To Win Maiden US Open Title - UBITENNIS

Aryna Sabalenka Ousts Pegula To Win Maiden US Open Title

By Adam Addicott
5 Min Read

Aryna Sabalenka has won her first US Open title after ousting Jessica Pegula in a two-set roller-coaster at Flushing Meadows.

The world No.2 battled to a 7-5, 7-5, win over the home favorite who was playing in her maiden Grand Slam final at the age of 30. Sabalenka’s firepower guided her to glory as she fended off nerves, as well as some fierce play from her rival. Her agressive approach featured a total of 40 winners alongside 34 unforced errors.

The victory comes 12 months after the Belarussian had to settle for runner-up in Flushing Meadows. She has become the first female player to win the Australian Open and US Open titles within the same season since Angelique Kerber in 2016 and now has 36 career wins over top 10 players. It is also the second tournament in a row she has beaten Pegula after Cincinnati.

“I’m speechless right now,” the new champion said during her on-court interview. 
“So many times, I thought I was so close to getting to the US Open title. It’s always been a dream of mine and finally, I got this beautiful trophy. It means a lot.
“It was a very, very difficult couple of weeks.” 

As the rain poured down onto the Arthur Ashe Roof, Sabalenka was sternly tested throughout a turbulent 60-minute opening set that featured various changes in momentum for both players. Three games into the match, the second seed found herself a break down following a deep return shot from Pegula before establishing her lead by winning the following four games. Sabalenka’s game plan relied heavily on her powerful ball striking which explained her unforced error count of 25 during the opener. She also struggled behind her second serve, winning six out of 19 points. 

It was these errors, along with the fighting spirit of Pegula, that resulted in the American clawing her way back to draw level at 5-5. Despite Pegula’s valiant efforts, Sabalenka held her nerve to seal a 7-5 lead after converting her fifth set point with the help of a delicate drop shot. 

It is the second year in a row that Sabalenka has won the opening set of a US Open final but 12 months ago she ended up losing to Coco Gauff. It looked as if history was to repeat itself after she failed to convert a break point for a 4-0 lead in the second frame and instead ended up being down 3-5 in a dramatic turn in events. Pegula began to read Sabalenka’s shots better and produced some gutsy play.

With proceedings looking to be heading into a third set, Sabalenka had other ideas as once again she fought back to draw level before moving to a game from victory. She failed to convert her first match point after hitting a slice shot into the net but prevailed on her second chance by hitting a thunderous forehand that Pegula returned out. 

“I remember all those tough losses in the past here (at the US Open). It’s going to sound easy, but never give up on your dream and just keep trying, keep working hard.” Said Sabalenka. 
“If you really work hard and you sacrifice everything for your dream, you’re going to get it one day.
“I’m just I’m just super proud of myself. I’m proud of my team.”

Runner-up Pegula can also take plenty of positives from her breakthrough round in New York. She is the oldest American woman to reach their first Grand Slam final in the Open Era and is now set to rise to No.3 in the WTA standings on Monday.

“It’s been an incredible month for me,” said Pegula. 
“I had a rough start to the year but was able to turn it around. To be standing here in my first Grand Slam final and then coming off such a hot summer, I didn’t expect it.
“I’m just really grateful for the last few weeks of tennis and some incredible matches that I’ve been able to put together.”

According to Opra Ace, the 26-year-old Sabalenka has produced a total of 476 winners at Grand Slam events this year which is more than any other player on the WTA Tour. 

Heading into the final quarter of the season, Sabalenka is currently 1979 points behind Iga Swiatek in the race to world No.1. A position she has already held for eight weeks.

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