Aryna Sabalenka extended her dominance at Flushing Meadows, securing a spot in the US Open final with a commanding victory over Jessica Pegula. The world number two has not tasted defeat in New York since losing the 2023 championship match to Coco Gauff, but questions surrounded her title defense following a disappointing summer swing.
Sabalenka Rediscovers Form After Summer Slump
After capturing the “Sunshine Double” at Indian Wells and Miami in March, Sabalenka stumbled with a quarter-final exit at Roland Garros and a fourth-round loss at Wimbledon. However, the Belarusian has rediscovered her best tennis on the American hard courts, dropping just a single set throughout the fortnight.
Desperation Fuels Final Push
Speaking after the match, Sabalenka revealed the mental edge driving her run.
“I was super desperate,” Sabalenka said after her win over Pegula.
“It feels for me, talking about Grand Slams, like a last push of the season. I wanted it badly to go to the finals, and of course, I want to go all the way.”
Clinical Second Set Seals Victory
The match began tensely. Sabalenka struggled with unforced errors early in the opening set while Pegula settled quickly, striking the ball cleanly. The four-time major champion eventually found her rhythm, striking decisively at 6-5 to claim the first set. From there, Sabalenka elevated her power game to another level.
Pegula appeared helpless in the second set as Sabalenka raced through it, pounding 29 winners to her opponent’s 12.
Historic Hard-Court Consistency
The victory wrote another page in the record books. Sabalenka broke the Open Era record for the most consecutive Grand Slam hard-court finals, reaching the championship match on her favored surface at every major dating back to the 2023 Australian Open.
Pegula’s Major Drought Continues
For 32-year-old Pegula, the only semi-finalist without a Grand Slam title, it marks another painful US Open exit at the hands of a long-time rival. Sabalenka denied the third seed a maiden major in the 2024 final and defeated her in last year’s semi-finals, though Pegula had won their most recent encounter at the Berlin Open in June.
Pegula offered gracious praise for her conqueror’s performance.
“I do think she probably would have beaten 99% of people,” Pegula said.
“Probably the best match she’s played this year.”
