Aryna Sabalenka held off a determined Jessica Pegula fight back to clinch her maiden US Open title at Flushing Meadows.
After heartbreak in the final 12 months ago, Aryna Sabalenka didn’t have it all her own way as she battled past the doubts to win 7-5, 7-5.
Finishing in just under two hours, the blistering ball-striking from both players forced a brilliant final.
As momentum continuously shifted throughout, Jessica Pegula looked to do the impossible when she saved a break-point at 0-3 in the second set.
After winning five games on the bounce, it was Sabalenka who had to confront the horrors of 12 months ago, as history looked tempted to repeat itself.
The haunting memory of the set and break advantage she squandered last year against Coco Gauff remained just a memory as the 26-year-old fought back to drown the hopes of another American comeback.
Aryna Sabalenka says she’s seen a big change this year after US Open final
When Pegula started to muscle her way back into the contest, the crowd noise grew and the Belarusian started to look less settled.
An immeasurably difficult defeat last year was always going to play on her mind and with Pegula’s efforts to twist the tie, Sabalenka was forced to confront that prospect head on – something she did superbly.
After the match, she outlined how much attention she’s put towards the mental side of the game, especially in light of her US Open defeat 12 months ago.
“I think mentally I became really strong. I’ve been through a lot on and off the court,” the now three-time major explained in her press conference.
“I just figured out for myself how to control my emotions and stay balanced on court. Even when things aren’t going my way I just keep reminding myself ‘Come on Aryna. You’ve been through a lot. It’s just a tennis match. You can handle these emotions. You just have to focus on the things you have to do to win. Slowly things will get better for you.’
“I think that was the biggest change. I guess I figured out how to control my emotions.”
Even Carlos Alcaraz sent Sabalenka a congratulatory message after her US Open victory, with the final being a glorious display of pure ball-striking and power.
Can Aryna Sabalenka make it three Australian Open titles in a row?
With such visible supremacy on the hard courts, the power and pace she creates means that it is nearly always up to her whether she wins or loses.
While the errors occasionally creep in, Sabalenka’s ability to turn the tide and handle the nerves is proving problematic for her fellow WTA tour mates.
Unbeaten in 14 matches in Melbourne, Sabalenka will enter 2025 as the favorite to pick up her third consecutive title.
While the likes of Iga Swiatek dominate Paris, the two hard-court majors look to be gradually becoming Sabalenka’s to lose.
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