Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the U.S. Open final with a decisive 7-5, 6-2 victory over American Jessica Pegula on Thursday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The win keeps Sabalenka on track for a potential third consecutive U.S. Open title.
Sabalenka controlled much of the match, particularly in the second set, where she delivered what she described as some of her most impressive tennis of the tournament. "No complaints," Sabalenka stated after the match. "I’m just super happy that I was able to pull out such tennis."
Momentum shifted in the first set, with Sabalenka capitalizing on Pegula's second serves. She finished the match with 29 winners to Pegula's 12, marking a dominant performance after their closely contested meetings in previous years.
"I was so desperate for the win, I wanted it badly," Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka will face either No. 2 Elena Rybakina or No. 4 Coco Gauff in the final on Saturday. A victory would make her the first player to achieve three consecutive U.S. Open titles since Serena Williams from 2012-2014. Rybakina is set to take Sabalenka's No. 1 ranking next week, but Sabalenka expressed that securing another U.S. Open trophy would be a greater prize.
Since her loss to Gauff in the 2023 final, Sabalenka has won 19 consecutive matches at the U.S. Open.