Having overcome last year’s traumatic defeat, when she was one set away from the crown, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka took revenge and yesterday made a statement by beating American Jessica Pegula in the final to win her first US Open title.
Sabalenka won 7-5 and 7-5 in front of more than 23,000 fans in New York who cheered Pegula on for her debut in a Grand Slam final.
The Belarusian prevailed in two fierce sets, full of plot twists, before collapsing on the court in uncontrollable tears to celebrate her third Grand Slam crown, after winning the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024.
“My God, I am speechless. There were so many times that I was so close to achieving it, so many painful defeats. It was always one of my dreams and I finally have this beautiful trophy. Thank you all, I heard a lot of support in the good times,” said the new champion.
Pegula is still unable to break away from her hegemony, as just three weeks ago she was also defeated by Sabalenka in the WTA 1000 Final in Cincinnati.
Pegula, however, enjoyed her best performance at a Grand Slam tournament, breaking her quarter-final barrier after a total of six failed attempts against world number one Iga Swiatek.
At 30, Pegula was the oldest debutant in a final since 2015, and she did so in front of a hometown crowd in New York.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, has established herself as the most consistent player of the moment in major tournaments. Except for the last Roland Garros, where she bowed out in the quarter-finals, she has reached at least the semi-finals in the last eight Grand Slams she has played.
In addition to her work on improving her serve and mental strength, Sabalenka has had to withstand the shock of the death of her former partner Konstantin Koltsov, a former ice hockey star.
At the US Open, Sabalenka had been knocking on the door since 2021, with four editions in a row reaching at least the semifinals and last year falling just one set short of winning the long-awaited title.
In that dramatic final, the world number two was brought down by the drive and bravery of local gem Coco Gauff and the hostility of the fans on the centre court at Flushing Meadows.— AP
#Queen #York
2024-09-12 00:31:57
What were the key moments that led to Aryna Sabalenka’s victory over Jessica Pegula in the 2024 US Open final?
Table of Contents
Sabalenka Powers Past Pegula to Win 2024 US Open Title
In a thrilling finale, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka defeated American Jessica Pegula in the 2024 US Open women’s singles final, claiming her first title in New York City and her third Grand Slam crown overall. The world No. 2 overcame her opponent 7-5, 7-5 in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, with over 23,000 fans cheering on the hometown favorite Pegula [[1]].
This victory marks a triumphant return for Sabalenka, who suffered a traumatic defeat last year when she was just one set away from winning the championship. Her win is a testament to her resilience and determination, and she was overcome with emotion as she celebrated on the court, tears of joy streaming down her face.
The match was a closely contested affair, with both players showcasing their skills in two intense sets filled with plot twists [[2]]. Sabalenka’s victory was met with thunderous applause from the crowd, and she later expressed her gratitude to the fans, saying, “My God, I am speechless. There were so many times that I was so close to achieving it, so many painful defeats. It was always one of my dreams and I finally have this beautiful trophy. Thank you all, I heard a lot of support in the good times.”
This is not the first time Sabalenka has faced Pegula in a high-stakes match. Just three weeks ago, she defeated the American in the WTA 1000 Final in Cincinnati, further solidifying her dominance over her opponent [[3]].
Despite the loss, Pegula’s performance in the US Open was a breakthrough moment for her, as she made her debut in a Grand Slam final at the age of 30. She also became the oldest debutant in a final since 2015, doing so in front of a hometown crowd in New York.
Sabalenka’s consistency in major tournaments has been impressive, with this win marking her third Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024. Except for a quarter-final exit at the last Roland Garros, she has reached at least the semi-finals in the last eight Grand Slams she has played, cementing her position as one of the most consistent players in the world.
Sabalenka’s victory over Pegula in the 2024 US Open is a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and talent. As she continues to dominate the tennis world, fans can expect to see her competing at the highest level for years to come.
What were the key factors contributing to Aryna Sabalenka’s victory at the 2024 US Open?
Aryna Sabalenka: The Triumphant Return to the Top of the Tennis World
In a thrilling finale, Belarusian tennis sensation Aryna Sabalenka defeated American Jessica Pegula in the 2024 US Open women’s singles final, claiming her first title in New York City and her third Grand Slam crown overall [[1]]. The world No. 2 overcame her opponent 7-5, 7-5 in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, with over 23,000 fans cheering on the hometown favorite Pegula.
This victory marks a triumphant return for Sabalenka, who suffered a traumatic defeat last year when she was just one set away from winning the championship. Her win is a testament to her resilience and determination, and she was overcome with emotion as she celebrated on the court, tears of joy streaming down her face.
The match was a closely contested affair, with both players showcasing their skills in two intense sets filled with plot twists [[2]]. Sabalenka’s victory was met with thunderous applause from the crowd, and she later expressed her gratitude to the fans, saying, “My God, I am speechless. There were so many times that I was so close to achieving it, so many painful defeats. It was always one of my dreams and I finally have this beautiful trophy. Thank you all, I heard a lot of support in the good times.”
Sabalenka has established herself as the most consistent player of the moment in major tournaments. Except for the last Roland Garros, where she bowed out in the quarterfinals, she has reached at least the semi-finals in the last eight Grand Slams she has played. This win marks her third Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024.
In addition to her work on improving her serve and mental strength, Sabalenka has had to withstand the shock of the death of her former partner Konstantin Koltsov, a former ice hockey star. Her win is a testament to her strength and dedication to the sport.
Pegula, on the other hand, enjoyed her best performance at a Grand Slam tournament, breaking her quarter-final barrier after a total of six failed attempts against world number one Iga Swiatek. At 30, Pegula was the oldest debutant in a final since 2015, doing so in front of a hometown crowd in New York.
This is not the first time Sabalenka has faced Pegula in a high-stakes match. Just three weeks ago, she defeated the American in the WTA 1000 Final in Cincinnati, further solidifying her dominance over her opponent [[3]].
Sabalenka’s victory at the US Open is a culmination of her hard work and determination to reach the top of the tennis world. She has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with, and her win is an inspiration to tennis fans around the world.
Key Moments that Led to Sabalenka’s Victory
* Sabalenka’s victory over Pegula in the WTA 1000 Final in Cincinnati just three weeks ago gave her the confidence and momentum she needed to
