New York – In a commanding performance at Arthur Ashe Stadium, world No. 1 Ary na Sabalenka advanced to the U.S. Open final after a 7‑5, 6‑2 victory over top‑seed Jessica Pegula. The win puts Sabalenka one match away from a rare third consecutive hard‑court major title.
Match overview
Sabalenka started the first set a little tense, rattling her racket after a double fault in the ninth game. She quickly regained composure, unleashing 29 winners and seven aces. Her aggressive baseline play forced Pegula into costly errors, and Sabalenka broke serve at 3‑1 to take the set 7‑5.
The second set saw Sabalenka’s power fully on display. She broke Pegula early and again on match point, sealing the set 6‑2 with a deep, unreturnable shot. Pegula, the 2024 runner‑up, fought valiantly but could not match the Belarusian’s relentless offense.
Player reactions
“I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly,” Sabalenka said after the match. She expressed confidence heading into the championship match, where she will face either 2023 champion Coco Gauff or second seed Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka also thanked the partisan crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, noting the presence of former First Lady Michelle Obama among the spectators. “I’m super happy to pull out that kind of tennis,” she added.
What’s at stake
If Sabalenka captures the title, she will join an elite group of players who have won three straight U.S. Open championships. The victory would also reinforce her dominance on hard courts and boost her standing in the year‑end rankings.
For Pegula, the loss ends a strong run that began with a runner‑up finish last year. She remains a top contender and will look to build on her performance in the upcoming season.
Looking ahead
The final is set for Thursday, with the stadium expected to be packed with fans eager to see whether Sabalenka can complete the historic feat. The match will also be a showcase for American tennis, featuring home‑grown talent Gauff if she advances.
Both athletes have expressed gratitude to their support teams and fans, underscoring the community spirit that surrounds the U.S. Open each year.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
