By Tony Fairbairn
- Aryna Sabalenka [2] def Jessica Pegula [6] 7-5 7-5
- Aryna Sabalenka praised her mental fortitude as she claimed a maiden US Open title in a topsy-turvy final against Jessica Pegula.
NEW YORK, USA – Aryna Sabalenka described her maiden US Open title as ‘special’ after the world number two defeated Jessica Pegula in the final.
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Aryna Sabalenka [2] def Jessica Pegula [6] 7-5 7-5
Aryna Sabalenka is the new US Open champion after the world number two defeated Jessica Pegula in two tight sets. It was a match full of twists and turns which ultimately ended with Sabalenka finding her best tennis when it mattered most to win her third Grand Slam title.
In the first set both players showed signs of nerves as this was a big final and occasion for both players. However it was Sabalenka who showed more nerves under the Arthur Ashe Stadium playing tight shots from the baseline and committing uncharacteristic unforced errors. Meanwhile a settled Pegula took control of the returns as she produces aggressive forehands that were deep and suffocating Sabalenka’s power game. That earned a reward for Pegula as she took the first break of the match to lead 2-1.
That lead was quickly neutralized by Sabalenka who clicked into gear as she was starting to find more winners on both sides, pulling the American from pillar to post. A tight hold in the seventh game sealed four games in a row as the world number two proved why she is the best hard court player on the planet with a 5-2 lead.
Normally that would virtually signal the set but Pegula was much more resilient and crafty than Sabalenka’s previous opponents as the American sealed a comfortable hold with a forehand winner and would launch an attacking return game in the next game. The Australian Open champion produced a double fault at 30-30 and was showing signs that she maybe hadn’t learned from last year’s final defeat to Coco Gauff. Another wild forehand unforced error saw Sabalenka concede the break as Pegula encouraged her home crowd to get involved in this match.
At 5-4, Pegula was severely tested showing a lack of composure of her own but the sixth seed prevailed in a long ten minute game to push Sabalenka to her limits. Another long game followed in the eleventh game as Sabalenka was forced to save break point with the American missing a big opportunity to seal a crucial break as she was just lacking that finishing touch to the rally.
That seemed to be a common theme of this match for Pegula as she battled hard in the twelfth game to push Sabalenka all the way but some costly errors would be her downfall. A well executed drop shot secured the set for Sabalenka on her fifth set point as a mammoth 60 minute opening set had reached its conclusion.
The ending to the first set gave Sabalenka confidence and momentum as the world number two started playing some of the best tennis of the match as she broke Pegula and took a 3-0 lead. Just like last year though, Sabalenka took the lead for granted as she was too relaxed and couldn’t convert break point with Pegula displaying world-class resilience.
The American held and that began a streak of five games in a row as the errors started to creep back into Sabalenka’s game and was suddenly facing the prospect of a third set with Pegula playing some of the best tennis of the match. This topsy-turvy encounter would have more twists in it yet as Pegula struggled to keep composed when it mattered most and Sabalenka played with freedom and confidence breaking back as she rediscovered her form.
That was the turning point as there was no stopping Sabalenka from that moment onwards as she sealed a fourth consecutive game to claim the US Open title for the first time in her career.
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Sabalenka praises mental fortitude after US Open triumph’
It’s a first US Open title for Sabalenka after the heartbreak of last year’s final as the world number two continues to prove that she is the best hard court player in the world right now.
An incredible achievement for Sabalenka as she claimed a third Grand Slam title of her career as the world number two’s legacy continues to grow.
Speaking after the match Sabalenka spoke about the mental obstacles that she needed to overcome from last year’s final and spoke about how much it means to win the title.
“I thought that I will be thinking a lot about previous years here, because I had a lot of tough lessons here, the US Open, very difficult one, I would say, especially the last year,” Sabalenka was quoted by the US Open website as saying.
“Honestly, today I just kept reminding myself that this is the US Open final, of course she’s going to fight really hard for it and it’s not going to be easy, and I have to work really hard to get it. In those tough moments, I was just trying to stay strong and trying to remind myself that I have been through a lot and I’m strong enough to hold under this pressure.
“So many things was going through my mind. The first one was all those tough losses in the past, and I was just so proud of myself and proud of my team that no matter what, we were able to come back stronger and come back with the better tennis.”
It’s been a dream come true for Sabalenka to have the career she’s had as she continues to fulfil the promise that she made to her father.
Sabalenka reflected on her legacy on the sport as she spoke about all the emotions that comes with winning the trophy.
“After I lost my father, it’s always been my goal to put our family name in the history of tennis,” Sabalenka was quoted by the US Open website as explaining.
“Every time I see my name on that trophy, I’m so proud of myself, I’m proud of my family that they never gave up on my dream and that they were doing everything they could to keep me going.
“Now, finally, we are having this beautiful trophy. I don’t know how to describe that feeling. You’re crying, you’re laughing, you feel all these emotions at the same time. That’s the best feeling. I really wish everyone could or can experience that.”
An incredible fortnight for Sabalenka as she will now hope she can end the year as world number one with Iga Swiatek currently sitting at the top of the rankings.
However that’s not on the mind of Sabalenka at the moment with the current world number two still dwelling on her ‘special’ victory in New York.
“It’s also very special place here, the US Open,” Sabalenka was quoted by the WTA website as saying.
“I also had a lot of tough losses in the past. I was always hoping that one day I’ll be able to hold this beautiful trophy. It’s been always my dream.
“That’s why it’s very special, because no matter what, every time I was coming back stronger, and I was learning, I never gave up on this dream, and yeah, you know, it means a lot.”
‘Annoyed’ Pegula keeps perspective after maiden Grand Slam final
As for Pegula, it’s a gutting defeat after the American came back from big deficits in both sets.
The American admitted that she is ‘annoyed’ after the defeat as she felt that she was close from claiming a first Grand Slam title.
“I’m just annoyed I lost right now,” Pegula admitted to the US Open website.
“Everyone is like, ‘Congrats, amazing tournament.’ I’m like, ‘Eh, whatever.’ I think maybe once I decompress a little bit, I’m sure I will be a little bit more appreciative and see all of that. At some point.”
Once the dust settles Pegula will bring perspective into her run in her home state as she reached a first Grand Slam final of her career.
Furthermore Pegula will now return to the world’s top three as the American has shown that she can contend for Grand Slam titles.
Speaking ahead of the future Pegula admitted that perspective will put her into place as she looks to finish the year strong ahead of an exciting Grand Slam season next year.
“I just have a lot of awareness and perspective of what my journey has been like,” Pegula told the US Open website.
“What’s always helped me as I have gotten higher ranked and become a better player is just keeping perspective. If I can’t take confidence from this, there’s got to be something wrong.
“I mean, I think I’ve taken confidence from winning a 250 [tournament], from winning a 1000 [tournament], from being able to win another 1000, [so I have] multiple ones now. Then to be able to be a Grand Slam finalist, I think that was kind of the last thing for me, right? I made a lot of quarterfinals, but can I make a semi? Can I be a contender to actually win a Grand Slam?
“I think for sure I will take a lot of confidence from this .. maybe in an hour or two.”
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