Sabalenka books US Open final berth, setting stage for blockbuster showdown with Rybakina

Sabalenka remains undefeated at the US Open since her 2023 loss to Gauff, although concerns lingered about her title defense after a lackluster lead‑in to the event.

Having begun the year with the Sunshine Double triumph at Indian Wells and Miami, she later stumbled with a quarter‑final loss at Roland Garros and a fourth‑round exit at Wimbledon.

She has since regained her best form, losing only a single set on her path to the championship match.

“I was incredibly determined,” Sabalenka remarked after defeating Pegula.

“For me, competing in Grand Slams feels like the final push of the season. I was eager to reach the final and, naturally, to win the title.”

The opening set was tight; Sabalenka grew frustrated as unforced errors appeared, while Pegula found her rhythm and hit the ball cleanly.

Eventually the four‑time major champion found her groove, clinching the first set with a decisive break at 6‑5 before increasing her power.

Pegula appeared overwhelmed as Sabalenka surged through the second set, firing 29 winners to Pegula’s 12.

The win pushes Sabalenka past the Open‑era record for consecutive Grand Slam hard‑court finals, marking her eighth straight major final on her preferred surface since the 2023 Australian Open.

For the 32‑year‑old Pegula — the sole semifinalist still without a Grand Slam title — this marks another US Open loss to her longtime rival Sabalenka.

Sabalenka thwarted Pegula’s bid for a first major title in the 2024 final, having also prevailed over her in last year’s semifinals — despite Pegula’s June victory at the Berlin Open.

“I believe she would have beaten about 99 % of the field,” Pegula said.

“It was likely her best performance of the year,” she added.

Source link