Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka is her 2024 In the US Open women’s singles champion, defeating American Jessie Pegula 7-5, 7-5. This is Sabalenka’s third Grand Slam title and second this year.
After his victory, Sabalenka told the sold-out crowd that 23,000under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, “I never said this, but, actually, I’m very proud of myself.”
From the start of the match, you could hear the rain on the rooftops, which made the pro-Pegula crowd appear to cheer loudly for the American as he timed a first-round return at Sabalenka’s feet to break. 2-1 .
But Sabalenka broke right back with his endless energy, shouting “Let’s go” after the sad winner who was falling on the pitch.
Sabalenka then won the next four games, hitting the ball so hard that there wasn’t much Pegula could do.
The American, who works well, was caught 3-5with a superb volley winner. After many mistakes from Sabalenka, and consuming the energy of the fans, Pegula fought back. 5 – everything.
AFP–GIJI
Happily 14-point game with four deuces and a terrific ball hit by both players—Sabalenka’s cross-court backhand, Pegula’s down-the-line backhand—Sabalenka 6-5 .
In another thrilling match, it took five break points for Sabalenka to take the set. It looked like the American had more chances to convert, but he was playing more defensively.
In the second set, Sabalenka broke in the second game, and was held to the love of a 3-0 to lead.
Once again, Pegula fought back, playing multiple styles—one cut, then one rush—and won five games in a row. 5-3 to lead.
Sabalenka, however, caught it and let it go 4-5and broke for 5 – everything. Then he held on 15 and broke in 30to win the game.
In his press conference, Sabalenka said: “I mean it was amazing tennis from him. I had my chances, and at 3-1I was serving, then I got a break again 3– love, but, you know, he came up with winners, and really aggressive tennis.
It just seems like one second, and it is 3-5and serving, I was, I said, Oh, wow that’s a crazy level from him.
“At that time, I just said to myself, okay, just try to hold your server. I was preparing for the third set.
“At least, like, you’ll be sure of your performance in the third set, and I’ll hold my serve. And I put a lot of pressure on him in that feeding game 5-4 and I am very happy that I was able to break him.”
Sabalenka is now the fifth woman—after Graf, Seles, Hingis, and Kerber—to win both the Australian Open and the In the USIt opens the same year.
