Aryna Sabalenka’s drive for three consecutive U.S. Open championships has one lap left.
The top-seeded Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 Thursday night to reach her second Grand Slam final of the season in a quest for her fifth career singles major championship.
In the final on Saturday, the Belarusian will meet the winner of Thursday’s late semifinal between No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina and No. 4 Coco Gauff. Rybakina defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final of the Australian Open in January.
“I was so desperate to win,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview after the match. “I wanted it badly, and I was just trying to focus on myself.”
She also thanked the crowd in New York for its support, even though she knew they were pulling for the American Pegula.
“I’m super happy that I was able to play such tennis in front of you all,” she said. “Thank you, thank you for the atmosphere. … You’re the best. Your respect to me is priceless, and I really appreciate you. I know that you wanted her to win — it’s obvious — but thank you for being so respectful to me.”
Sabalenka and Pegula went stride for stride for most of the first set. Sabalenka had a break opportunity with Pegula serving in the fourth game but couldn’t capitalize. Same for Pegula in the ninth game, when the often feisty Sabalenka started showing her frustration but pulled out the game nonetheless.
Up 6-5 with Pegula serving to send the first set to a tiebreaker, Sabalenka calmed her emotions and found another gear, winning three quick points to take a 40-0 lead. With triple break and set points in her pocket, Sabalenka allowed Pegula just one more point before closing out the set.
In the first game of the second set, Pegula’s disappointment showed and Sabalenka’s confidence rose.
As evenly played as the first set was, Sabalenka dominated the second. She attacked at the net, winning 80% of the points, and took 73% of her service points, compared to 52% for Pegula.
Pegula now has been eliminated during the final four at the U.S. Open in her native New York in three consecutive years. She lost in the final in 2024 and the semifinals last season.
The No. 3 seed, Pegula has yet to win a major singles title.
–Field Level Media
