World number one Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer to defending her US Open crown after a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula in Thursday’s semifinal. The Belarusian, reigning champion in New York, will face American Amanda Anisimova in the final after she ended Naomi Osaka’s run earlier in the day.
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Sabalenka is chasing history, aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to win consecutive US Open titles. This marks her third successive final at Flushing Meadows and her fourth Grand Slam final in the last five events, though she has not lifted a major trophy since last year’s triumph in New York.
“It was a really tough match — she played incredible tennis as always and I had to work really hard to get this win,” Sabalenka said after the match. “Just super happy to be back in the final and hopefully I can go all the way again.”
The match began with Pegula striking first, capitalizing on errors from Sabalenka to take the opening set 6-4. Pegula delighted the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd with her resilience, breaking Sabalenka late in the set and serving out to love.
Sabalenka, however, quickly regrouped. With a more aggressive approach, she raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set and held firm to level the contest. Her power hitting and improved first serve proved decisive as she swung momentum in her favor.
The decider showcased Sabalenka’s trademark intensity. She broke early for a 2-0 lead and then withstood fierce resistance, saving multiple break points at critical stages to maintain her advantage. Serving for the match at 5-4, Sabalenka needed three match points before sealing victory with a blistering forehand winner. Relief and joy washed over the top seed as she booked her return to the final.
Pegula, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Sabalenka’s fighting spirit. “It was too good from her today at some points,” she said. Despite the loss, Pegula’s run further cemented her status among the tour’s most consistent players.
For Sabalenka, the final offers another opportunity to add to her three Grand Slam titles. She has finished runner-up at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros this year but believes the lessons learned will serve her well. “I badly wanted to give myself another opportunity, another final, and I want to prove to myself that I learned those tough lessons and I can do better in the finals,” she explained.
With Anisimova standing between her and back-to-back US Open triumphs, Sabalenka carries both experience and the weight of expectation into Sunday’s showdown. The stakes are high, and history beckons once again for the world number one.
