By Amy Tennery
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka lifted the trophy in New York at last after several close years, when she beat American sixth seed Jessica Pegula 7-5 7-5 in the U.S. Open women’s final on Saturday.
Sabalenka won her first title at Flushing Meadows a year after reaching the final. Twice before, he reached the semifinals. On Saturday, he blocked wild cheers for the hometown favorite at Arthur Ashe Stadium to eliminate Pegula in the final match.
“Many times I thought I was so close to winning the US Open title. Finally, I got this beautiful trophy,” said the second seed, who fought back from a set down to claim victory and fell to the court in the moment . of victory.
Pegula, 30, has been waiting a long time to reach his first major final and arrives in New York on a high after winning in Toronto. But he couldn’t match his opponent’s raw power despite the roar of New York’s supporters.
“To be standing here in my first Grand Slam final and then coming off a hot summer means I didn’t expect it, so I’m just thankful for the last few weeks of tennis,” Pegula said.
The roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium was closed due to heavy rain and the players traded double breaks as they settled into the storm in front of the celebrity-packed home.
Sabalenka held her serve through the 11th game with four deuces and fought back in the 12th, mixing precision at the net with her usual power from the baseline before breaking her opponent on the fifth set point.
Pegula struggled with her racquet throughout the match, complaining to her coach that she couldn’t seem to find the right tension on her strings, and looked like she wasn’t going to fight in the second set when Sabalenka went 3-0 up.
The American found another level and carried the fans when he won the next five games in the fight back, a month after Sabalenka was denied the title in Cincinnati.
Sabalenka leveled when she sent through a forehand winner that just kissed the line on break point in the 10th game and sought to end the contest quickly, holding serve and then applying pressure from the baseline in the final game.
Sabalenka’s backhand from Pegula’s 30-40 serves ignited a desperate six-shot rally, ending with a break when the American forehand sailed out.
“Honestly, after I led 3-love I didn’t expect him to come back at such a high level,” he said.
“I’m very happy that I was able to hold my serve at 5-3 down. Then to break him, I’m sure that I can close this match in two sets.”
Sabalenka immediately broke down in tears as she claimed her third Grand Slam title after winning the Australian Open twice. He was delighted with the fans as he ran up to the stands to share a joyous celebration with his team.
“I remember all the tough defeats in the past here and you know, it’s going to look cheesy but don’t give up on your dreams and keep trying,” he said.
The Belarusian player dropped just one set in New York on his way to the final as top contenders including defending champion Coco Gauff and top seed Iga Swiatek crashed out.
His performances were sweet after a mid-season injury, and he missed Wimbledon and the Paris Games.
“I’m very proud of myself, very proud of my team that no matter what, no matter the situation we faced this season and in the past we were able to overcome it,” he said.
FANS ADMIT IT
Sabalenka has had an up-and-down relationship with Flushing Meadows a lot after she found herself across the court from another home front, Gauff, a year ago in the championship.
He jokingly offered free drinks to the rowdy ticket holders if they would support him after he sent another American, Emma Navarro, packing in the semi-finals this time.
There was no sign of him picking up the bar tab on Saturday — though he collected $3.6 million with the win — but the New York crowd gave him due credit as he lifted the trophy he’d been wanting for so long.
“Of course I expect you to like Jessica. It’s not normal that you like me,” he told fans in his post-match comments.
“Thank you so much for all your support over these two incredible weeks. You guys are amazing and make this place so special.”
US fans have another home hope to cheer on Sunday, when Taylor Fritz aims to end the 21-year-old American’s men’s major drought against Italian seed Jannik Sinner in the men’s final.
