World #2 Aryna Sabalenka defeated world #3 Jessica Pegula in straight sets to win her first ever US Open title, and her third Grand Slam overall. The 26 year old from Belarus extended a long match winning streak that dates back to her WTA title in Cincinnati, she defeated Pegula in a spirited final 7-5 7-5
The first set saw Sabalenka break for 4-2, and she had a 5-2 lead at one point only to lose her serve, serving for the first set at 5-3. Sabalenka would save a break point for Pegula late in the first set, and then win an extremely long Pegula service game, as Pegula couldn’t force the tiebreak, and Sabalenka powered her way to a 7-5 first set advantage on the 5th break point of the game. Both players dealt with frustration in the first set and felt they were not playing at a high level.
The second set saw Pegula, who was playing in her first Grand Slam final, fall behind an early break, she would get the break back and hold her serve for 3 all in the second set. In a burst of momentum, Pegula won five of six consecutive games, but serving for the second set she felt nerves, going down 0-40, and allowing Sabalenka to break her serve with a strong baseline play for 5 all in the second set. Sabalenka would hold serve the next game, passing the pressure back onto Pegula, playing in her first slam she couldn’t cope with the pressure, Sabalenka broke and won 7-5 7-5 for the title.
The result means that Sabalenka is the only multi-slam winner in 2024, she won the Australian Open, and the US Open to bookend the season. Dating back to last season, Sabalenka has won three of the last eight Grand Slams, while world #1 Iga Swiatek from Poland has won two of those eight. The pair have cemented themselves at the top of the WTA rankings, with more slams in their sights.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
