S Poddar
Aryna Sabalenka won her first US Open title with a redemptive victory over American darling Jessica Pegula on Arthur Ashe Stadium. It is a third Grand Slam title for Sabalenka and adds to a glittering resume that already comprises two Australian Open victories.
This was a match that saw Sabalenka shrug off the disappointment of last year’s final against Coco Gauff and was quite a display of resilience and skill by the Belarusian player. On a rainy Saturday, Sabalenka edged out Pegula 7-5, 7-5.
Though there was a moment or two of nail-biting tension, poise and power marked Sabalenka’s performance. She seemed in firm control early, taking the first set after running off five straight games. The second set was more of the same, with Sabalenka sprinting to a 3-0 advantage, only to see Pegula mount an incredible comeback.
Far from being drama-free, with Pegula-the daughter of the owner of NFL franchise the Buffalo Bills-starting to peg her back, Sabalenka knew she had to dig deep in order to avoid a repeat of history. As Pegula battled back to square things up, Sabalenka got nervy. However, she coolly delivered the crucial break at 5-4 in the second set to avoid a potential decider.
It also enveloped the climax of the match when Sabalenka hit that unforgettable backhand volley winner that saw her on the way to victory. Now serving to stay in the match, Pegula found herself on the receiving end as Sabalenka pursued relentlessly, focusing on a telling three-game burst that sealed her triumph.
Once the final point was won, Sabalenka’s emotions came out. She collapsed to the court in elation, dropping her racket and covering her face with both arms. This went further into running up into the stands to hug her team and share her victory with the crowd.
This victory further cements Sabalenka among the very best hard-court players in the world. This is a milestone in her career, in which she manages to consolidate herself among the élite athletes in tennis. Pegula, without the victory, remains a formidable competitor on the tour and always knocking on the door for the biggest titles in the sport.
