Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka clinched her first U.S. Open women’s singles title on Saturday, defeating American sixth seed Jessica Pegula in a thrilling match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Sabalenka secured a hard-fought 7-5, 7-5 victory, overcoming the passionate home crowd and a determined Pegula to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows.
The second seed displayed remarkable resilience, battling back from a break down in both sets to seal the win. A year after falling short in the final, Sabalenka’s perseverance paid off as she collapsed onto the court in sheer joy at her moment of triumph.
Pegula, at 30 years old, had been seeking her first major final appearance and put up a valiant effort. Despite the fervent support from the New York crowd, she couldn’t match Sabalenka’s raw power and precision. The atmosphere inside the closed-roof stadium—necessitated by heavy rain—was electric, with both players trading early breaks amidst the stormy conditions and a celebrity-packed audience.
Sabalenka showcased tenacity in the crucial moments, holding serve through a grueling four-deuce 11th game. She then demonstrated a blend of finesse at the net and aggression from the baseline to break Pegula on her fifth set point, capturing the opening set.
Throughout the match, Pegula struggled with her equipment, expressing frustration to her coaches over the tension of her racket strings. The challenges seemed to mount as Sabalenka raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set. However, Pegula ignited a spirited comeback, winning five consecutive games and igniting the fans’ enthusiasm.
Unfazed, Sabalenka leveled the set by delivering a forehand winner that grazed the line on break point in the 10th game. She maintained her momentum, holding serve and exerting relentless pressure in the final game to secure the championship.
As victory was sealed, tears streamed down Sabalenka’s face. This win marks her third Grand Slam title, adding to her two Australian Open victories. In a heartfelt celebration, she high-fived fans and climbed into the stands to embrace her team, sharing the joyous moment.
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Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to win U.S. Open women's title
cgtn.com
