World number 2 Aryna Sabalenka has won the US Open 2024 Women’s Singles title by defeating Jessica Pegula in straight sets in the final. The Belarusian player defeated her American opponent 7-5, 7-5 in the high-voltage final match played at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The match lasted for one hour and 53 minutes. Last year Sabalenka lost to American player Coco Gauff in the US Open final, but this year she did not let history repeat itself.
Pegula defeated world number 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals, she defeated Carolina Makova of the Czech Republic despite losing the opening set and made it to the final of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. In the title match, Jessica Pegula gave a tough fight to Aryna Sabalenka, but she had to face defeat in straight sets and Sabalenka won her third major title after winning two consecutive Australian Opens.
Pegula lost after taking lead in first set over Sabalenka
Pegula couldn’t have asked for a better start as she got a break very early in the first set to take a 2-1 lead over Sabalenka. She started her game exactly where she left off in the semifinal against Karolina Makova. But Pegula’s joy didn’t last long as Sabalenka came back. Aryna Sabalenka continued to put more pressure on her opponent with another service break and eventually took a 5-2 lead.
However, Pegula did not let Sabalenka win the first set easily and broke her serve at a crucial time to first make the score 5-4 and then level it at 5-5. When the score line was 6-5, the 26-year-old Sabalenka lost two set points, but converted the third set point to win the first set in an hour. She made 23 unforced errors with four doubles in the first set, but 25 smashing winners saved her chances.
Sabalenka won despite trailing 5-3 in the second set
AryaNa Sabalenka looked much more impressive in the second set and took a 3-0 lead with a service break. Jessica Pegula opened her account in the set by holding serve, but she was far from making a comeback and putting pressure on her opponent. Pegula was not ready to give up in any way. She managed to break Sabalenka’s serve once more and brought the score line to 3-3. She did not stop here and took a 5-3 lead over Sabalenka with another service break.
Aryna Sabalenka, who looked in command after a 3-0 start in the second set, suddenly put herself in a difficult situation. But she controlled herself and immediately improved her game and managed to make a decisive comeback against Pegula. She won the second set and the match 7-5. Sabalenka got two championship points at a score of 6-5, one of which was saved by Pegula. But Sabalenka won the second point in her favor and won the US Open title for the first time.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)