NEW YORK, USA: Aryna Sabalenka clinched her third Grand Slam title by winning the US Open in a gripping final against Jessica Pegula on Saturday. The Belarusian, ranked world number two, defeated Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a rollercoaster match to add the New York title to her back-to-back Australian Open victories earlier in the year.
The final showcased Sabalenka’s relentless power, with the 26-year-old hitting 40 winners and becoming the first woman since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to win both hardcourt majors in the same season. Reflecting on her victory, Sabalenka expressed pride in overcoming past defeats at the US Open and emphasized her persistence and hard work, saying, “Never give up on your dream and just keep trying.”
Jessica Pegula, who had a strong summer with a title in Toronto and a runner-up finish to Sabalenka in Cincinnati, fought valiantly in front of a supportive home crowd. Despite being 0-3 down and facing a break point in the second set, Pegula rallied to lead 5-3 before Sabalenka regained control to win. Pegula acknowledged Sabalenka’s power, remarking, “She’s super powerful and isn’t going to give you anything.”
The match was played under the closed roof of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, where a capacity crowd of 23,000—including notable figures like Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles, NBA star Steph Curry, and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton—witnessed the intense battle. Sabalenka’s powerful hitting was countered by Pegula’s tenacity, leading to dramatic rallies and a thrilling contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Pegula, who previously defeated world number one Iga Swiatek and Karolina Muchova to reach the final, ultimately couldn’t overcome Sabalenka’s aggression. After saving four set points in the opening set but succumbing on the fifth, Pegula admitted to feeling “annoyed” about missing opportunities but remained hopeful about building on her performance.
For Sabalenka, this victory cements her status as one of the top players in women’s tennis. With her third Grand Slam title in hand, she thanked the crowd for their support, acknowledging the energy and atmosphere that fueled her triumph. The win underscores her dominance on hard courts this season and marks a significant milestone in her career.
