Aryna Sabalenka Beats Jessica Pegula To Reach US Open Final
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka powered into the final of the US Open on Thursday, rallying from a set down to defeat American fourth seed Jessica Pegula and keep her title defence firmly on track. Sabalenka, the world number one and top seed from Belarus, produced a battling performance to clinch a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in two hours five minutes on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. The 27-year-old will face the winner of Thursday’s other semi-final, either Japan’s Naomi Osaka or another American, Amanda Anisimova, in Saturday’s final. Sabalenka has now reached three straight US Open finals and has a chance to become the first woman to successfully defend the title since Serena Williams sealed a hat-trick of victories in 2014. “It was a really tough match — she played incredible tennis as always and I had to work really hard to get this win,” a relieved Sabalenka said afterwards. “Just super happy to be back in the final and hopefully I can go all the way again,” added Sabalenka, who held her nerve to fight off a series of break points in the decisive third set before wrapping up victory.
