Aryna Sabalenka has surged past Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a rollicking US Open women’s final to win her first championship at Flushing Meadows and third grand slam title of her career.
Sabalenka, a 26-year-old from Belarus, adds this trophy to the two she earned at the Australian Open in each of the past two seasons, also on hard courts.
The win goes some way to atoning for the loss to American Coco Gauff in last year’s final.
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Pegula, a native New Yorker whose parents own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, was competing in a major final for the first time.
She has won 15 of her past 17 matches over the past month but both losses came against Sabalenka in tournament finals.
“I am speechless right now,” Sabalenka said.
“So many times I thought I was so close to getting the US Open title, it has always been a dream of mine and finally I have got this beautiful trophy, it means a lot.
“I remember all those tough losses in the past here. Never give up on your dream and keep trying and working hard.
“If you sacrifice everything for a dream you are going to get it one day. I am super proud of myself.”
The second seed appeared in full control when she reeled off five consecutive games to grab the opening set and move ahead 3-0 in the second.
World No.6 Pegula made things more interesting in the next game, dropping a point and showing her frustration by whacking a ball off the video wall behind the baseline, dislodging a little square panel.
Maybe that released some tension for the American, because suddenly Pegula asserted herself, using her own five-game run. But when she served at 5-4 with a chance to force a third set, the 30-year-old let Sabalenka level the second with a break.
That was part of a three-game, match-ending surge for Sabalenka, who soon was collapsing to the court, dropping her racket and covering her face with both arms while lying on her back.
