News Date 2024/09/09
After putting the heartbreak of the previous year’s final behind her, Aryna Sabalenka defeated local favourite Jessica Pegula to win her maiden US Open championship.
In 2023, Sabalenka lost the Flushing Meadows spectacular to Coco Gauff. She was later caught breaking her racquet on the locker room floor.
But after a whole year, the second seed from Belarus found atonement in New York, leaping to his feet in joy after defeating Pegula 7-5, 7-5.
Sabalenka has already won three Grand Slam singles titles, having triumphantly defended her Australian Open title in January.
“Sabalenka defeats Pegula to win her first US Open title.”
Along with maintaining her supremacy on hard courts, Sabalenka’s win over Pegula brings her record of victories in big events without a loss to 14 games.
“At this moment, words fail me. I’ve always wanted this gorgeous trophy, and I finally got it,” Sabalenka remarked.
In an attempt to celebrate her victory, the 26-year-old raced up to her player’s box, hugged her teammates, and gave her strength and conditioning coach Jason Stacy a playful smack on the head. Stacy had a facsimile of Sabalenka’s tiger tattoo put on the wall.
“One day, if you put in a lot of effort and sacrifice everything for your dream, you will succeed,” she continued.
“I simply feel really good about myself. I’m quite proud of myself, even if I seldom say that.
“I’m incredibly proud of my team for persevering through everything and winning all those gorgeous trophies.”
The wait for Pegula, the sixth seed, to win a major championship continues.
With support from a biassed Arthur Ashe Stadium audience, the 30-year-old player, competing in his first Grand Slam singles final, rallied late to break Sabalenka.
However, Sabalenka overcame a 5-3 lead in the second set to win in 1 hour and 53 minutes, earning $3.6 million (£3.04 million) in prize money in addition to 2,000 ranking points.
[BBC]
