Jessica Pegula has beaten Karolina Muchova to clinch a US Open final meeting with Aryna Sabalenka.
Pegula won a ‘weird’ semi-final against Muchova, with the former beating the latter 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Sabalenka meanwhile beat Emma Navarro in their 2024 US Open semi-final clash, winning 6-3, 7-6(7-2) in Queens.
It is a first-ever Grand Slam final for Pegula, and a fourth for Sabalenka, who lost the 2023 US Open final to Coco Gauff.
That defeat came in between back-to-back Australian Open titles, with Sabalenka well aware of her hard-court ability.
Jessica Pegula reveals US Open final game plan vs Aryna Sabalenka
Such ability was also evident just last month, when the Belarusian defeated Pegula in the Cincinatti Open final.
Revenge will now be on the mind of the American, who is also fully aware of just how dangerous she can be on hard courts.
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“She is a really great hard court player, if not one of the best in the world, but I think I am also a really good hard court player,” Pegula said in her US Open semi-final press conference.
“In Cincinnati she served unbelievable and I felt I still had chances in that match. Hopefully she doesn’t serve that well Saturday, maybe a little bit less would be nice!
“I think I know I could have a game that could frustrate her. I feel like I have to be aggressive, get her moving, serve smart and try and put some pressure on her serve and play my game.
“I try to play within myself and pick my spots. I want to stay aggressive and not overdo it. Just how I play. Hopefully I can execute that.
“Maybe if there’s something in the match that is working or not working I can figure those things out but I’m just going to try and play my game Saturday.”
Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula both eye revenge in their US Open final
US Open second seed Sabalenka and sixth seed Pegula boast very similar records at this year’s tournament, having each dropped just one set.
But recent history and indeed entire career history favours the Belarusian, who has a 5-2 win record over the American.
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The latest win came in Cincinnati last month, with Pegula now seeking immediate revenge for that 3-6, 5-7 defeat.
Pegula did, however, win a hard-court competition of her own just one week earlier, beating Amanda Anisimova to win the Canadian Open.
But while she wants revenge, Sabalenka does too, having lost to Pegula’s fellow American Gauff in last year’s final, despite storming into a one set lead.
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