Aryna Sabalenka emerges victorious at the 2024 US Open, defeating Jessica Pegula in a dramatic final. Read about the match’s key moments and highlights.
Introduction:
Already one of the most feared competitors on the WTA Tour, Aryna Sabalenka added to her jewels when she won the 2024 US Open. In an exciting final match, she defeated American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5, further stamping her authority on the hard courts. This victory for Sabalenka was not just another feather in her cap but a mark of consistency, power, and how to overcome adversity. This title consolidates her status as one of the games’ elite on women’s tennis, in particular on hard courts.
See also: Aryna Sabalenka Overpowers Navarro to Reach 2024 US Open Final
Path to Victory
Early Dominance by Sabalenka: The final was under the closed roof due to rain, and the intensity of the two players was palpable. Sabalenka started well, racing to 3-0 in the second set after taking a tight first set; brute force and great movement on the court made Pegula uncomfortable right from the very beginning. Pegula, resilient throughout, then launched a storming comeback in the second set.
See also: Jannik Sinner’s stunning straight-set victory at the 2024 US Open
Pegula’s Fightback
Pegula, born in Buffalo, N.Y., also has many disappointments in the majors with her appearing to stall always in the quarterfinal stage of most games. This time she finally broke through, defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek to reach the final. Down a set, Pegula battled back from a second-set deficit, winning five straight games to get the set back on serve, and even took a 5-3 lead over Sabalenka.
Pegula’s ability to hang in and push Sabalenka to the very brink, however, demonstrated a player who is growing in confidence. Coming off a late-summer run with 15 wins and just one loss, she was riding high after winning the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto. This final also came atop an injury-laden spring that saw her sit out much of the clay season.
Turning Point
Leading 5-3 in the second set, Pegula was in position to force a third, but Sabalenka rallied when it mattered most. Holding her serve with incredible poise under pressure, she then broke Pegula to level the set 5-5. Suddenly, the momentum did a complete about-turn as Sabalenka powered through to win four consecutive games and take the set and championship 7-5.
A Story of Redemption for Sabalenka
Exorcising the Demons of Ashe: The US Open title was not just another trophy to Sabalenka’s collection; it was a triumph on a stage that had haunted her. She had done well to make the semifinals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in both 2021 and 2022, though failing to reach the final on both occasions. She made it to the final last year, only to lose an electrifying match against another American, Coco Gauff. The parallels between the two finals were uncanny: both Gauff and Pegula had won their semifinals against Karolina Muchova, and both enjoyed the full-throated support of the Ashe crowd.
But Sabalenka would not be denied this time, unlike last year. She kept her cool as the boisterous crowd and comeback of Pegula were happening. It wasn’t about winning a match; it was about exorcising demons of US Opens past.
The Queen of Hard Courts
With the 2024 US Open title in her pocket, Sabalenka has certainly claimed the right to be called the queen of the hard courts. Her third major title-after two at the Australian Open in 2023 and earlier this year-for sure marked confirmation that she is best on hard courts, and the statistics confirm that: 11 of her 13 WTA titles have come on hard courts, and she’s now on a 12-match hard-court winning streak.
Her US Open victory also came just weeks after she won the Cincinnati Open by defeating Pegula in that final. Consistency on the hard courts is perhaps a hallmark of Sabalenka’s career, with this latest win marking her as the first woman since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to win both hard-court majors in one season.
Pegula: So Close, Still Elusive
A Career-High, but No Trophy: Though Pegula could not claim her first major title, her performance in the US Open was still a milestone in her career. After many years as a Grand Slam quarterfinal regular, Pegula finally broke through to her first final at a major. Her run also gives her a new career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world.
Her red-hot form in late summer is commendable, considering the injuries she had to overcome earlier in the year. The 30-year-old American has always been one of the consistent runners on the WTA Tour but is yet to capture that elusive major title. However, her deep run in New York and the remarkable win over Swiatek prove that Pegula can certainly hold her own at the very highest levels.
First Set Tension
The first set went toe-to-toe, with neither player able to establish a solid advantage. Pegula, in the early game, grabbed an early break but then lost her serve immediately. The tension built when Sabalenka repeatedly failed to close the set with double faults. Her strong serves and aggressive forehand finally won her the set 7-5 after an extended, tight game.
Drama in the Second Set
Pegula’s effort to try and make a comeback in the second set was stunning-early in the set, she lost three games in a row but then went ahead and won five consecutively. Regardless, a fiery Sabalenka managed to claw her way back into this match. A critical break at 5-5 swung things in her favor, and from there, she never looked back. The powerful baseline of Sabalenka and consistent net game was too much for Pegula to handle.
Conclusion
The victory at the 2024 US Open crowns her already great career. Sabalenka managed to fend off Pegula’s furious comeback attempt and win inside the pressure pot of Arthur Ashe Stadium-proof that she has grown and matured as a player. For Pegula, defeat was bittersweet, failing to nail her first Grand Slam title but attaining a new career-high ranking. As the tennis world looks ahead, Sabalenka’s hard-court dominance serves as a notice that she is going to be a force for many years to come.