Aryna Sabalenka Survives Jessica Pegula Thriller to Punch Ticket to US Open Final

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by Raymund Tamayo

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Photo: USOpen.org.

Aryna Sabalenka is back in the US Open final, but it didn’t come easy. The World No. 1 showed grit and firepower, rallying from a set down to outlast hometown favorite Jessica Pegula, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was a heavyweight rematch of last year’s championship clash, and once again, Sabalenka proved why she’s the reigning queen of Flushing Meadows. Despite a shaky start and a roaring American crowd behind Pegula, the Belarusian unleashed her trademark power game — blasting 43 winners and 8 aces to turn the tide.

Pegula came out sharp, barely missing in the opener with just three unforced errors. She capitalized on a late break to snag the first set, sending the fans into a frenzy. Sabalenka, frustrated, ducked into the tunnel before Set 2 — and came back a different beast.

The defending champ immediately rattled off three straight games, crushing a forehand winner to break Pegula early and reclaim momentum. From that moment, the energy shifted, with Sabalenka’s intensity overwhelming the No. 4 seed.

The decider was pure drama. Sabalenka broke in the very first game but had to dig deep in a marathon sixth, where she stared down three break points before holding firm. Pegula refused to fold, saving two match points with gutsy shotmaking, but Sabalenka finally sealed the deal with one last booming forehand — letting out a roar that echoed through the stadium.

US tennis star Jessica Pegula.
US tennis star Jessica Pegula. Photo: USOpen.org.

“She played amazing tennis, I had to fight for every single point,” Sabalenka said after the battle. “It means a lot to come through a match like this.”

With the victory, Sabalenka now marches into her second straight US Open final, where she’ll face either four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka or rising American star Amanda Anisimova.

No matter who awaits, one thing’s for sure: Sabalenka is locked in and ready to defend her crown.