Aryna Sabalenka claims US Open title, defeating Jessica Pegula in final

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 U.S. Open women’s singles final, World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over No. 6 American player Jessica Pegula, winning in straight sets with scores of 7-5, 7-5. This victory marks Sabalenka’s first title at the U.S. Open and her third Grand Slam win overall.

Shortly after claiming her title, Sabalenka expressed her joy, stating, “Super happy.” In an interview, she shared the significance of winning in New York, calling it a “very special place” for her. Reflecting on her experience in last year’s final against Coco Gauff, she noted how that match taught her valuable lessons on engaging with the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.

“After last year’s experience against Coco, probably last year, I didn’t expect the crowd to be that loud,” Sabalenka remarked. This time, she felt the energy from the audience, which kept her motivated throughout the tournament.

Saturday’s final served as a moment of redemption for the Belarusian star, who had previously fallen short against Gauff in a three-set battle. This time, after dropping five consecutive games to Pegula, Sabalenka made a remarkable comeback in the second set.

With this victory, Sabalenka extended her winning streak over Pegula to six matches. Just last month, she had also defeated the American in Cincinnati in straight sets, showcasing her dominance in their matchups.

Though the crowd of 24,000 fans seemed to favor Pegula during the match, Sabalenka remained unfazed. The closed roof added to the intensity of the atmosphere, providing an electrifying backdrop for the championship match.

Despite the defeat, Pegula’s journey at the U.S. Open came with positives. She earned a prize purse of $1.8 million and will rise to the No. 3 position in the world rankings, becoming the top American female tennis player.

In her post-match conference, Pegula admitted her disappointment over the loss but acknowledged that she found some good moments during the match. “I was able to find some good tennis, just wasn’t quite able to sustain it,” she said. She also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from family and friends who came to cheer her on.

“I had a lot of friends saying, ‘I’m flying in, I’m coming, I don’t care,'” Pegula shared. “I felt like, in a way, not just my journey, but my friends and family have been on this journey with me as well.”

Standing on the court moments after her victory, Sabalenka reflected on the emotions of winning her first U.S. Open. Falling to the court after sealing the championship point, she felt the weight of her journey. “I was just super proud of myself and my team,” she remarked, celebrating the resilience that brought her back to this moment. “We have had so many tough lessons in the past, and we were able to come back stronger. Finally, we are holding this beautiful trophy,” she added, proudly displaying her championship trophy.

Sabalenka also hinted at plans for celebrations later that evening, saying, “We will definitely go for some drinks. We need to feel that relief, and we need to have fun.” Her victory at this prestigious tournament is sure to mark a significant chapter in her career, and fans can expect to see more remarkable performances from her in the future.