Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka is the 2024 US Open ladies’s singles champion, defeating American Jessie Pegula 7-5, 7-5. That is Sabalenka’s third profession Grand Slam title and her second this yr.
After her victory, Sabalenka advised the sold-out crowd of 23,000 underneath the roof in Arthur Ashe Stadium, “I by no means say this, however, actually, I’m tremendous happy with myself.”
From the start of the match, you could possibly hear the rain on the roof, which made the pro-Pegula crowd appear even louder cheering for the American when she timed a return completely that landed simply contained in the baseline at Sabalenka’s toes to interrupt for 2-1.
However Sabalenka broke proper again together with her relentless energy, screaming “Let’s go” after a crushing forehand crosscourt winner.
Sabalenka then received the following 4 video games, hitting the ball so laborious that there wasn’t a lot that Pegula might do.
The American, serving properly, held for 3-5 with a terrific volley winner. After a slew of errors from Sabalenka, and feeding off the power of the followers, Pegula fought again to 5-all.
AFP –JIJI
In an exhilarating 14-point recreation with 4 deuces and terrific ball placing by each gamers—a depraved backhand crosscourt by Sabalenka, a piercing backhand down the road by Pegula—Sabalenka held for 6-5.
In one other thrilling recreation, it took 5 break factors for Sabalenka to take the set. It felt just like the American had many possibilities to show issues round, however she was enjoying an excessive amount of protection.
Within the second set, Sabalenka broke within the second recreation, then held at love for a 3-0 lead.
Once more, Pegula fought again, enjoying with extra selection—slicing one, then dashing one up—and received 5 video games in a row for a 5-3 lead.
Sabalenka, although, held and stopped that run for 4-5 and broke for 5-all. She then held at 15 and broke at 30 to win the match.
In her press convention, Sabalenka stated: “I imply, that was actually unimaginable tennis from her. I had my alternatives, and at 3-1, I used to be serving, after which I had a break level and 3-love, however, , she got here up with winners, with actually aggressive tennis.
Simply it felt like one second, and it’s 3-5, and I’m serving, I used to be, like, Oh, wow that’s loopy stage from her.
“In that second, I simply advised myself, okay, simply attempt to maintain your serve. I used to be preparing for the third set.
“Not less than, like, you’ll be assured in your serve within the third set, after which I maintain my serve. And I put a lot stress on her on that serving recreation at 5-4, and I’m actually glad I used to be in a position to broke her again.”
Sabalenka is now simply the fifth girl—after Graf, Seles, Hingis, and Kerber—to win each the Australian Open and the US Open in the identical yr.
