Sabalenka Battles Past Pegula to Reach Third Straight US Open Final.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course to defend her US Open crown after overcoming Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a tense semi-final at Flushing Meadows on Thursday. The Belarusian, who beat Pegula in last year’s final, once again proved unshakable in the key moments to book a third successive US Open final. She is now one win away from becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (2012–14) to lift back-to-back titles in New York.
Pegula, roared on by the home crowd, started strong. After breaking back from 2-4 down, she rode a hot streak to snatch the opening set 6-4, winning 77% of her first-serve points. But Sabalenka reset after a medical timeout, blasting 15 winners in the second set and levelling with a commanding 6-3.
The deciding set became a battle of nerve. Sabalenka broke early and saved three break points at 3-2 with booming serves. Pegula continued to press but faltered at the crucial moments, and though Sabalenka squandered two match points while serving at 5-4, she sealed victory on her third chance after two hours and 18 minutes.
Sabalenka finished with 43 winners to Pegula’s 21, her power and resilience proving decisive once again. She will face either Naomi Osaka or Amanda Anisimova in Saturday’s title match.
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