Sabalenka wins US Open title in nerve-wracking thriller

Aryna Sabalenka fell onto her back, put her hands over her face and cried with joy. The top favorite won the US Open for the first time and ended Jessica Pegula’s dream of a surprise title for home fans. The world number two from Belarus beat the American 7:5, 7:5 in the thrilling final and celebrated her third Grand Slam triumph.

Pegula held her own for a long time in the first Grand Slam final of her career, but deservedly lost to Sabalenka’s aggressive style.

“Oh my God, I’m speechless. “It was always a dream of mine, I finally have this beautiful trophy,” said Sabalenka, overwhelmed. “I was thinking about what I experienced here last year.”

In front of celebrities such as Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton, Olympic sprint champion Noah Lyles and basketball superstar Stephen Curry, Sabalenka prevented a similar sporting slump as in 2023. Back then, the two-time Australian Open winner was also on course for victory in the final against US crowd favorite Coco Gauff, but lost the title in three sets.

Now she gave away a 3-0 lead in the second set, but fought back after being 3-5 down and kept her nerve this time. After 1:53 hours, Sabalenka converted her second match point. “I wish she had only given me one set,” joked Pegula. “I didn’t expect to be here, in my first Grand Slam final.”

When Pegula entered the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, she took the large headphones off her ears and soaked up the atmosphere and the cheers of the more than 23,000 spectators under a closed roof. “She plays very strong tennis, plays very fast and aggressively,” Sabalenka warned her opponent shortly before the match began.

And Pegula demonstrated these qualities right from the start. In the semifinals, the 30-year-old had a disastrous start against the Czech Karolina Muchova and was at one point 1:6, 0:2 behind. Now she took Sabalenka’s serve early on to make it 2:1.

But the Belarusian didn’t let that deter her at first. With her powerful tennis, she dominated the rallies, scored many points with direct winning shots, repeatedly went successfully to the net and led 5:2.

But when the score was 5:3 and Pegula had a break point, the crowd applauded loudly after Sabalenka made a mistake on her first serve. Sabalenka wobbled and thundered her next forehand far out. The tension rose, the atmosphere became increasingly heated. Sabalenka tried to use this mentally to her advantage, encouraging the crowd to cheer even louder after a brilliant shot.

When Pegula hit a light backhand into the net at 5:6, four-time NBA champion Curry put his hands over his face. A short time later, Sabalenka secured the win in the first set with a break.

And the favorite didn’t let up. She immediately took Pegula’s serve again, and she threw her racket to the ground in disappointment. Sabalenka was leading 3-0 and had a break point – was that clear? Not at all, Pegula fought back once again.

Suddenly the American was ahead 5:3 and was starting to get nervous. The underdog was unable to win any more games – when her forehand sailed out, her dream of the title was over.