Gripping final at US Open: Sabalenka wins title in nerve-wracking thriller

Exciting final at the US Open
Sabalenka wins title in nerve-wracking thriller

08.09.2024, 00:49

A year ago, Aryna Sabalenka lost the New York final to US star Coco Gauff. Now she is facing another crowd favorite – this time the favorite is holding her nerve.

Aryna Sabalenka fell onto her back, put her hands over her face and remained there for several seconds. 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.

The 30-year-old Pegula held her own for a long time in the first Grand Slam final of her career, but deservedly had to admit defeat to Sabalenka’s aggressive style.

Plenty of celebrities in the VIP box

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 last year. The two-time Australian Open winner was also on course for victory in the 2023 final against US crowd favorite Coco Gauff, but lost the title in three sets. She did throw away a 3-0 lead in the second set, but fought back after being 3-5 behind and kept her nerve this time. After 1:53 hours, Sabalenka converted her second match point.

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, she had a disastrous start against the Czech Karolina Muchova and was 1:6, 0:2 behind at one point. 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.

Audience encourages Pegula

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 an easy backhand into the net at 5:6, four-time NBA champion Curry put his hands over his face. A little later, Sabalenka made the first set perfect by breaking.

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 5:3 ahead and was starting to get nervous. The underdog didn’t win another game – when her forehand sailed out, her dream of the title was over.