Current:Home > ScamsAryna Sabalenka wins US Open, defeating American Jessica Pegula in final-LoTradeCoin
Aryna Sabalenka wins US Open, defeating American Jessica Pegula in final
View Date:2024-12-23 19:24:51
Aryna Sabalenka is the queen of the hard court.
No. 2 seed Sabalenka defeated No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in the U.S. Open women’s final on Saturday in New York City to secure her first U.S. Open title and her third career major overall, all on the hard court. It was a moment of redemption for Sabalenka, who was the runner-up of last year's U.S. Open.
“I’m speechless right now because so many times I thought I was so close to getting a U.S. Open title," Sabalenka said after her win. "It’s always been a dream of mine and finally I got this beautiful trophy and it means a lot."
The Belarusian dropped to the court on Arthur Ashe Stadium after winning championship point against the American Pegula, who was competing in her first career Grand Slam final. Sabalenka's 2024 U.S. Open title joins her back-to-back Australian Open wins (2023, 2024).
"I’m super proud of myself," added Sabalenka, who will take home $3.6 million in prize money. "I never say that, but I’m proud of myself and my team."
Sabalenka looked like she was going to run away with the first set. After dropping her serve, Sablenka won five games straight to take a 5-2 lead. Sabalenka had the opportunity to close out the first set on serve, but her service game faltered and a double fault and number of unforced errors led to Pegula breaking, 5-4. Pegula tied it up 5-5 after holding her serve, but Sabalenka jumped back in front 6-5 after a 14-point service game. Sabalenka went on to take the first set, 7-5.
It was a moment of déjà vu. Sabalenka had a one set lead over American Coco Gauff in last year's U.S. Open final, before she gave up two straight sets and the championship. The Belarusian wasn't going to let that happen this time around.
Sabalenka carried her momentum into the second set and quickly went up 3-0, but Pegula came back and won five consecutive games to take the lead 5-3. Sabalenka answered back with a break of her own to tie it up at 5-5. She easily held serve to go up 6-5 and broke Pegula again for the U.S. Open title.
"In that second set, I honestly was just praying... I was praying on getting this win," Sabalenka said. She turned to Pegula and said her time is coming: "I know how tough it is to lose in the finals, but you showed some amazing tennis. I’m more than sure that one day you are going to get one."
Pegula will pocket $1.8 million as the runner-up.
Aryna Sabalenka's path to US Open championship
Tournament's No. 2 seed
- 1st round: Defeated Priscilla Hon 6-3, 6-3
- 2nd round: Defeated Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-1
- 3rd round: Defeated (29) Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6, 6-1, 6-2
- 4th round: Defeated (33) Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4
- Quarterfinals: Defeated (7) Qinwen Zheng 6-1, 6-2
- Semifinals: Defeated (13) Emma Navarro 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
- Final: Defeated (6) Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5
veryGood! (55)
Related
- Watch a rescuer’s cat-like reflexes pluck a kitten from mid-air after a scary fall
- Russian band critical of Putin detained after concert in Thailand, facing possible deportation to Russia
- Who could replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes? 5 potential candidates for 2025
- The Senate is headed for a crucial test vote on new border policies and Ukraine aid
- Firefighters make progress, but Southern California wildfire rages on
- Who could replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes? 5 potential candidates for 2025
- Woman's murder in Colorado finally solved — after nearly half a century
- Think the news industry was struggling already? The dawn of 2024 is offering few good tidings
- Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments
- Tennessee Gov. Lee picks Mary Wagner to fill upcoming state Supreme Court vacancy
Ranking
- Klay Thompson returns to Golden State in NBA Cup game. How to watch
- IRS gives Minnesota a final ‘no’ on exempting state tax rebates from federal taxes
- FBI Director Chris Wray warns Congress that Chinese hackers targeting U.S. infrastructure as U.S. disrupts foreign botnet Volt Typhoon
- Here's why conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl are spreading
- Megan Fox Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby With Machine Gun Kelly
- Think the news industry was struggling already? The dawn of 2024 is offering few good tidings
- Utah Legislature Takes Aim at Rights of Nature Movement
- A Tennessee teen has pleaded guilty in the slaying of a prominent United Methodist Church leader
Recommendation
-
Maryland man wanted after 'extensive collection' of 3D-printed ghost guns found at his home
-
OxyContin marketer agrees to pay $350M rather than face lawsuits
-
The Best Valentine's Day Gifts Based On Each Love Language
-
Make the best Valentine's Day card with these hilariously heartfelt jokes and pickup lines
-
Full House Star Dave Coulier Shares Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis
-
Georgia Senate passes sports betting bill, but odds dim with as constitutional amendment required
-
Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and SZA are poised to win big at the Grammys. But will they?
-
After Washington state lawsuit, Providence health system erases or refunds $158M in medical bills