Aryna Sabalenka has set up a blockbuster final clash with Jessica Pegula after she soared into her second consecutive US Open final.
Sabalenka, who swept Pegula aside in the Cincinnati final last month, is bidding to go one step further than last year and add a third major title to her impressive resume.
The world number two suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Coco Gauff, who rallied back in the US Open final to become the first American teenager to win at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 1999.
Although things are a little different this time around with Sabalenka coming into the final on an imposing 11-match win streak, Pegula will be eager to spoil the party and keep the trophy on US soil.
It promises to be a mouthwatering showdown between two of the hottest players on the tour right now.
Aryna Sabalenka eyes US Open redemption against Jessica Pegula
Pegula was on the verge of defeat in her semi-final against Karolina Muchova but mustered up some of her finest shot-making to produce an epic comeback and book her spot in her maiden major final.
It was a more straightforward route to the final for Aryna Sabalenka, who got the better of in-form Emma Navarro in straight sets to give herself a shot at US Open redemption.
Sabalenka is widely regarded as the best hard-court player on the WTA Tour, notably after winning back-to-back titles at the Australian Open and reaching at least the semi-final stage in each of her previous four campaigns at Flushing Meadows.
The Belarusian was forced to rue the missed opportunities she had to seal the deal in last year’s final, but seems hungrier than ever to clinch victory on Saturday.
Ahead of the showdown with the world number six, Sabalenka posted on X: “We will try one more time.”
Will Sabalenka win the US Open?
Sabalenka entered the tournament in red-hot form to establish herself as the favorite, and not much has changed since then.
The 26-year-old has stormed through the field in New York and will head into Saturday’s final with a point to prove.
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There is no doubt she will face adversity from the American faithful in the stands, but it is something that Sabalenka was forced to deal with during her semi-final.
Despite the threat posed by Jessica Pegula, it is hard to look past the Belarusian lifting the trophy.
But, who knows, stranger things have happened on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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