Aryna Sabalenka wrote her name in the history books as she defeated home favorite Jessica Pegula in straight sets by 7-5, 7-5 in the US Open final.
Both players were in full flow in the opening set, trading impressive forehands. Sabalenka managed to break her opponent in the sixth game of the set to go 4-2 up. The Belarusian went on to hold two consecutive serves to take the first set 7-5.
Sabalenka started the 2nd set on the front foot taking a 3-0 lead early in the set. However, the American came roaring back, winning 5 consecutive games to be within touching distance of winning the second. But the Belarusian’s experience at the highest level showed as she held her nerve to break her opponent twice to take the set 7-5 and win the match 7-5, 7-5. Although she stumbled in the second set, the Belarusian demonstrated why she remains one of the top players in the women’s game currently. The match lasted one hour and 53 minutes.
“I am speechless right now. As you said, so many times I thought I was so close [to winning the US Open]. It has always been a dream of mine. [I] finally got this beautiful trophy. It has been a difficult couple of weeks.” Sabalenka said after the match.
This is Sabalenka’s first-ever US Open triumph and her third overall having won the Australian Open twice in 2023 and 2024. She also became only the fifth woman to win both the hard court Grand Slams in the same year after Angelique Kerber (2016), Martina Hingis (1997), Monica Seles (1991, 1992), and Steffi Graf (1988,1989).
On the other hand, Pegula reached a major final for the first time at the age of 30. Over the past month, she has won 15 of her last 17 matches, with both losses coming against Sabalenka. “Everyone is like, Congrats! Amazing tournament!” Pegula said. “I’m like, Eh, whatever.”
Sabalenka defies personal struggles to achieve historic US Open victory
Sabalenka is known for her mental toughness and aggression making her one of the successful tennis players around currently. However, her journey has been far from smooth as she has faced her share of grief and turmoil off-court. She lost her father Sergey, who played ice hockey back in the day, to meningitis in 2019.
A few years later, Sabalenka started dating Konstantin Koltsov, who also played ice hockey in the mid-2000s. However, shortly after their separation, Koltsov jumped from a hotel room balcony in Miami earlier this year.
Sabalenka described it as ‘an unthinkable tragedy’ and sidelined herself from this year’s Wimbledon as an opportunity to heal mentally. A return to tennis by winning the US Open, and overcoming formidable opponents and personal challenges is a testament to her resilience and skill and not only has she triumphed in a Grand Slam but has also emerged stronger and more determined than ever.
US Open 2024: Men’s final
On Sunday, the men’s final will take place at the Flushing Meadows between Taylor Fritz and Jannik Sinner. Both the players have already made their share of history in the tournament with Fritz qualifying for his first-ever Grand Slam final while Sinner became the first-ever Italian to qualify for the final at the US Open.
The two finalists have met twice before with both winning once. The World No.1, Sinner, will come into the final as a clear favorite but Fritz would back himself to pull off an upset amid the overwhelming home support.
Read More: Top 5 US Open Finals Listed by USOTC
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
