Aryna Sabalenka finally got her breakthrough at the US Open. After coming agonizingly close in the past three years, Sabalenka finally claimed victory at Flushing Meadows on Saturday with a straight sets (7-5, 7-5) win over hometown hero Jessica Pegula.
Pegula, appearing in her first Grand Slam finals, pushed Sabalenka to the limits in both sets but ultimately failed to find that something extra was needed to knock off the world’s No. 2 tennis player. This was particularly evident in the second set.
Pegula came back from 0-3 to claim a 5-4 lead and was serving to win the set and tie the match. But instead of grabbing the opportunity, the American allowed Sabalenka to get a break and change the momentum of the match that carried her to the win.
Sabalenka reached the US Open semis in 2021 and 2022 before getting to the finals last year, only to lose to Coco Gauff.
“I’m speechless right now,” Sabalenka said after the match. “So many times I thought I was so close … finally I get this beautiful trophy.”
The US Open title is the third Grand Slam win for Sabalenka after she won the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024. With this, she became only the fifth woman to win both the US Open and Australian Open in the same year since 1988.
