Aryna Sabalenka holds off Jessica Pegula to capture U.S. Open title

NEW YORK — The need to corral her emotions disappeared after two long weeks Saturday night, so Aryna Sabalenka fell to the court, covered her face with her hands and cried. She had suffered here each of the past three years, succumbing to a typhoon of nerves, frustration and staunch opponents that resulted in a semifinal loss in 2021, a semifinal loss in 2022 and a loss in the final in 2023. This time, she knew how to navigate the minefield of playing for a Grand Slam title on tennis’s biggest stage, in front of the sport’s loudest and most affecting crowd. Sabalenka danced through the pressure of playing against an American in New York and righted herself whenever she stumbled, smashing her way to a 7-5, 7-5 win against Jessica Pegula for the U.S. Open title. The victory is her third Grand Slam trophy, alongside the past two Australian Open titles, and cements her as the most formidable hard-court player in today’s game. Advertisement “She can take the racket out of your hand,” Pegula said. Sabalenka, a 26-year-old from Belarus, had often spoken of how badly she wanted a “different” slam after winning twice in Melbourne, and winning the two bookend titles of the season puts her in special company. She is just the fifth player since the Open era began in 1968 to win both hard-court Grand Slams in the same season after Steffi Graf (1988, 1989), Monica Seles (1991, 1992), Martina Hingis (1997) and Angelique Kerber (2016). For as intense as Sabalenka is on court, she’s mostly a giggly jokester when not competing. It’s going to sound easy, but never give up on your dream,” Sabalenka said on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court afterward. If you’re really working hard, you’re sacrificing everything for your dream, you’re going to get it one day. I never say that, but I’m super proud of myself, of my team.” Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, got the other thing she has long sought when she won the title — the admiration of the New York crowd. Fans were friendlier to her throughout the match this time compared with last year, when Sabalenka was not as familiar and played another American, Coco Gauff. “Jason promised me that if I make it to the finals, he’s going to make it. He’s going to put it on his forehead,” Sabalenka said later through a fit of laughter. “I’m really curious what’s going to be next, Jason. I was about to say he would color his hair…” The pressure of making the U.S. Open final had gotten to Sabalenka before, and it wasn’t exactly a laid-back atmosphere in the stadium when the match began. Advertisement The sixth-seeded Pegula, who broke through this week to reach her first Grand Slam final after spending years as a top-five player, looked almost awed by it all when she walked out. She tipped her head up and smiled, then took off the over-ear headphones she usually wears on the walk to her chair so she could soak in the crowd’s cheers when her name was announced. “On the changeover, I’m always looking up and I see the celebrities,” Pegula said. I was, like, wow, there’s definitely a lot of people here.” The grandeur of it all energized the American, while Sabalenka came out tight. Advertisement The first set was mainly on the Belarusian’s terms from then on as she increased her serve speed and the pace of her groundstrokes, and soon it seemed the only points Pegula could win were when Sabalenka made a mistake. As the title neared for Sabalenka, Pegula swung freely and rattled off her own five-game run with the crowd roaring behind her. Sabalenka refocused her energy into her serve to even the set at 5-5 and overpowered Pegula from there, whipping her from side to side with a cracking forehand that is the foundation of her game. That’s the only way it works for me because every time I’m trying to play safer and play, like, be aware of these key moments — every time I stop my arms, the ball flies in the stands,” Sabalenka said. “So a long time ago I decided for myself in that those important moments I just have to go for it, I have to swing.” Advertisement Sabalenka swung, and Pegula’s Grand Slam hopes were finished. After beginning the year mired in burnout, Pegula took time off, recovered from a rib injury and started with a new team before cruising through the summer playing some of her sharpest tennis. “Oh, yeah, if I can’t take confidence from this, there’s got to be something wrong,” said Pegula, who will become the world No. “… I mean, looking back, I’ve lost again to a really good player.” In her on-court speech after the win, Sabalenka said she was sure Pegula would win a Grand Slam title one day. – This Summarize was created by Neural News AI (V1). Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/09/07/us-open-women-final-aryna-sabalenka-jessica-pegula/