Aryna Sabalenka is “queen” at the US Open! The third Grand Slam title of the Belarusian’s career

Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka (2 WTA, cs 2) won the title at the US Open, helping her to her third career Grand Slam trophy.

World number two Aryna Sabalenka defeated American Jessica Pegula (6 WTA, cs 6) with a doubles 7-5 in the final of the US Open.

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka claimed her third Grand Slam title after winning the US Open

The new “queen” of the US Open is the Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka (2 WTA, cs 2). This defeated her in the last act de la US Open the American Jessica Pegula (6 WTA, cs 6) with 7-5, 7-5, after one hour and 54 minutes.

From @BillieJeanKing to @SabalenkaA…

The US Open crowns a new champion pic.twitter.com/pOjHGhPWdo

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2024

It was a balanced match, in which each player had the initiative. Sabalenka, however, was more in charge. She pulled away at 5-2 in the first set, but at 5-3 gave up her serve. At 6-5, however, he converted the fifth set point.

Sabalenka won two more Grand Slam titles, at the Australian Open, in 2023 and 2024

In the second part of the match, the player from Belarus put 3-0 in front of her on the table, but Pegula made five games in a row. From that moment on, however, nothing went right in the sports game in the United States. By the end of the match, she had won only six points and Sabalenka had 16 points.

For Sabalenka, it is the third Grand Slam title of her career. She prevailed in the 2023 and 2024 Australian Open after 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, respectively 6-3, 6-2 with Chinese athlete Zheng Qinwen.

On the other hand, for Pegula it is the first Grand Slam final played. Last year she reached the last act at the Tournament of Champions, but was destroyed by Iga Swiatek (1-6, 0-6). She also played in the doubles final at Roland Garros two years ago, alongside her compatriot Coco Gauff, the pair being defeated by France’s Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovici 6-2, 3-6, 2-6.

Sabalenka lost just one game at this year’s edition of the US Open, in the third round

At the awards ceremony that took place on the field, Aryna Sabalenka admitted that she was speechless. She recalled that last year she was close to lifting the trophy, but it was not to be.

“It’s been a tough two weeks. I know how hard it is to lose in the finals, but I’m sure you’ll win too. Maybe you’ll earn more. Congratulations on a great summer. In the second set I prayed. It was hard for me too. Never give up, never give up on your dream. You have to work hard.

I am proud of myself, of the work done by my team. We had painful defeats last year. We overcame all obstacles this year and got to lift these trophies. Without them I wouldn’t exist, but neither would they without me. You are my family. I couldn’t imagine my professional and personal life without you,” said Sabalenka.

She dropped a single set at the US Open in the third round to Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Also, she took only three sets in “overtime”: the second of the semifinal with the American Emma Navarro, won in a tie-break, 7-2, and the finals.

Pegula admitted that she did not expect to reach her first career Grand Slam final

For her part, the finalist admitted that it was an amazing summer, even if she started the year more difficult and did not expect to reach her first Grand Slam final.

“It was incredible matches and two beautiful weeks. I would have liked to get at least one set. Aryna is the best player on hard. It was a tough challenge for me. Hits hard, doesn’t give many points. I was glad I gave myself a chance to win, but that’s about it.

I thank those in the lodge, the trainers, physiotherapists, those with physical training. The last month has been crazy. I have many friends here, my family came to see me. It was a long journey. I’m glad to be home with you. It was amazing,” she said.