Under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night, Aryna Sabalenka showcased her determination to defend her US Open title by overcoming Jessica Pegula in a dramatic three-set semi-final. The match concluded with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, as Sabalenka proved her mettle after dropping the first set.
“I’m super excited to give myself another opportunity, another final,” Sabalenka expressed in her post-match comments. “If I can hold that trophy again, it would mean a lot to me. I’d probably be the happiest person on earth.”
Sabalenka’s victory was not without struggle; she had to rally from a set down to secure her place in the final, a display of resilience that has become a hallmark of her playing style. She delivered an impressive performance, hitting 43 winners, including eight aces, during the match length of 2 hours and 5 minutes.
“It was a really tough match,” Sabalenka acknowledged, highlighting Pegula’s formidable game. “She played incredible tennis as always. I had to work really hard to get this win.”
With this win, Sabalenka advanced to her seventh Grand Slam final and her fourth in the last five major tournaments, along with her third consecutive appearance at the US Open final. She now prepares to face another local favorite, Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Naomi Osaka in the other semi-final.
The semi-final matched the intensity of a championship bout, starting off with Pegula taking the first set. The American, ranked fourth in the world, played a disciplined and aggressive style, limiting herself to just three unforced errors while keeping Sabalenka off-balance.
As the match progressed, Sabalenka steadied her game. She managed to take control in the second set, forcing Pegula into making nine errors, which led to Sabalenka leveling the match. The final set introduced a thrilling back-and-forth dynamic, featuring four break points for Pegula that she was unable to convert, showcasing Sabalenka’s serving prowess.
Reflecting on the match afterward, Pegula commented, “I thought it was really high-level. I felt I played some really good points to win the first, but Aryna upped her level in the second.” She recognized her own competitive spirit, stating, “I’m always right there when I play these top players.”
The match concluded as Sabalenka faced multiple match points in the last game, ultimately sealing her victory. Describing her approach during the match, Sabalenka said, “I was just trying to take one step at a time. It’s okay if you don’t close it on the first match point; just keep playing great tennis.”
With this win, Sabalenka’s head-to-head record against Pegula improved to 8-2. She now looks ahead to the final against Anisimova, who will be a tough opponent, given her recent successes against top-tier players on hard courts.
As Sabalenka aims to become the first player since Serena Williams to win consecutive US Open titles, her focus is clear. “I think that’s an incredible achievement,” she remarked regarding her long-standing consistency in major tournaments.
Anisimova, determined and confident, presents a challenge for Sabalenka, especially considering her positive record against the Belarusian. However, Sabalenka’s remarkable journey and growth in the sport has built strong anticipation for what promises to be an electrifying final on Saturday.
