Sabalenka survives Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach third consecutive US Open final

Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus may be world #1, but she is 0-2 in Grand Slam finals and 0-1 in semis this season. In those three matches, she was eliminated in three sets by an American: Madison Keys down under, Coco Gauff at Roland Garros, and Amanda Anisimova in the semis at Wimbledon. While she claimed three titles this season – a WTA500 and two at the 1000 level, she’s laser-focused on defending her grand slam title in NY.

Another American stood in her way at Flushing Meadows. Jessica Pegula reached the US Open final last year but lost to Sabalenka 7-5, 7-5. The Buffalo, NY native was determined to flip the script with the roof closed in Arthur Ashe Stadium. While Pegula enjoyed success earlier in the season, bagging three titles, she did not perform well during the summer hardcourt swing.

Sabalenka led the head-to-head 7-2, including a straight-sets victory in the Miami Open final this spring. Sabalenka served first and opened with a forehand swing volley winner and held to 15 while Pegula donated a double fault yet held to 30 with an overhead smash and a big serve up the tee.

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Sabalenka held to 30 for 2-1 with an ace up the tee and a colossal crosscourt forehand, while Pegula gifted another double fault but held to 30 with her first ace and a netted backhand from Sabalenka.

The defending champion made 4/4 first serves and held to 30 with two consecutive groundstroke winners. Last year's finalist, however, struggled. The American faced two deuce, three break points, and dumped serve following an incredible inside-out forehand from the top seed.

Sabalenka opened the seventh with her second ace but gave back the break with four unforced errors, including a double fault. Pegula’s sustained focus and positive body language continued to pay dividends. Serving with new balls, she made 4/4 first serves, including a 105mph ace up the tee, and held at love to level at four.

The partisan crowd erupted in cheers and applause when Pegula leveled the set. Sabalenka made 5/6 first serves but faced a break point and dumped serve with another errant forehand. The fourth seed quickly reached triple set point and converted when Sabalenka missed wide with another forehand.

It was a stunning turnaround for Pegula and a collapse for her opponent. Sabalenka served first in the second and held to 30 while Pegula made 5/6 first serves but was broken following two consecutive, spectacular winners from Sabalenka.

The 3-time grand slam champion hit three outstanding winners, including a backhand drop shot, and consolidated the break for 3-0. Pegula opened the fourth with two consecutive backhand winners and held to 30 for 1-3.

Sabalenka opened the fifth with two consecutive aces and held easily to 15 for 4-1 with a fantastic forehand drop shot volley combination. Pegula donated two unforced errors and faced deuce and a break point, but held for 2-4 with two remarkable winners.

Sabalenka gifted her second double fault yet held easily to 15 with two astounding winners, including her fifth ace. Pegula serving to stay in the set, opened with her third ace but faced a set point following two additional double faults. Despite missing three consecutive first serves and facing two deuce points, she held for 3-5 after Sabalenka netted a makeable return.

The Belarusian ramped up the aggression while minimizing the unforced errors and, as a result, secured the set following a netted return.

The American served first in the decider and was broken following three unforced errors and a jaw-dropping inside-in forehand return winner from Sabalenka. The world #1 made 3/4 first serves, including an ace out wide, and consolidated the break at love with two consecutive forehand winners.

Pegula opened the third with two consecutive winners and held to love for 1-2 while Sabalenka made 4/6 first serves, including an ace out wide and held to 30 for 3-1. The American opened the fifth with a brilliant backhand down the line pass and once again held at love.

Sabalenka battled valiantly as she donated her third double fault and faced three deuce and three break points. With two consecutive monster serves and an overhead smash, she secured the hold to lead 4-2.

Pegula serving with new balls held at love for the third time in the deciding set. Sabalenka gifted her fourth double fault, faced a break point and two deuce points, but held with five astonishing winners. Pegula serving to stay in the match opened with two consecutive groundstroke winners and held at love, forcing Sabalenka to serve it out.

The defending champion was up to the task. Although she faced two deuce points and committed a trio of errors, she earned victory with four extraordinary winners, including her eighth ace. This was an enthralling and hard-fought match between two worthy opponents.

The WTA #1 struck 8 aces, 4 double faults, and won 72% of first and a respectable 53% of second serve points. She was clutch when it mattered, saving 5/7 break points while converting 3/7, and crushed forty-three winners to twenty-seven unforced errors.

Sabalenka has reached three Grand Slam finals this season and will attempt to defend her title on Saturday. Her opponent has yet to be determined, but either way, a formidable challenge looms: Amanda Anisimova, the 2025 WTA 1000 champion of Doha, Wimbledon finalist, and world #9 or 4-time grand slam champion and former #1, Naomi Osaka.