NEW YORK, USA — Aryna Sabalenka has once again booked her spot in the US Open final, proving her championship grit by defeating Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a thrilling semifinal match on Thursday night. The defending champion’s victory, defined by her raw power and an improved serve, marks her fourth Grand Slam final in the last five majors and her third consecutive in New York. She now stands just one win away from becoming the first woman to secure back-to-back US Open titles since Serena Williams.
A Comeback Victory
Under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the match was a tale of two halves. Pegula, playing a sharp and measured opening set, capitalized on a temporary dip in Sabalenka’s game, making only three unforced errors to take the lead. However, Sabalenka quickly regained her composure in the second set, and her game sharpened as Pegula’s level dipped. The final numbers told the story of Sabalenka’s power, as she finished with 43 winners to Pegula’s 21, along with eight aces. The decisive third set was the night’s most dramatic, with Sabalenka fending off four break points to hold firm with her serve—a testament to her improved motion from 2022 that has become the backbone of her game.
What the Players Said
In the post-match press conference, both players reflected on the high-level match and the key moments.
Aryna Sabalenka said she was focused on taking the match one point at a time. “In this match I was actually just trying to take one step at a time,” she said. “I was, like, it’s OK if you didn’t close it from the first match point. You’re playing great tennis. Just go try and [be] better.” She also expressed her excitement for the opportunity ahead, stating, “I’m super excited to give myself another opportunity, another final. If I’ll be able to hold that trophy, it’s going to mean a lot for me. I’ll be just the happiest person on earth probably.”
Jessica Pegula gave credit to both players for the quality of the match. “I thought it was really high-level,” she said. “I don’t really know what else to say. I don’t know how I didn’t break back in the third.” She also felt that her strategy was a significant improvement from previous meetings. “I think strategically I played her much better than I have played her the last few times,” Pegula added. “I feel like going into the next match, I kind of know what I need to do. Obviously executing it is a different story.”
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