Aryna Sabalenka fell on her back, covered her face with her hands and stayed there for several seconds. The most popular player won the US Open for the first time, destroying Jessica Pegula’s dream of a surprise win in front of her home fans. The Belarusian world number two celebrated her third Grand Slam title by beating the American 7:5, 7:5 in a thrilling final.
Pegula, 30, had long held her ground in the first Grand Slam final of her career but was understandably defeated by Sabalenka’s aggressive style.
There are many celebrities in the VIP gallery.
In front of a host of notable figures including Formula 1 world record champion Lewis Hamilton, Olympic sprint champion Noah Lyles and basketball superstar Stephen Curry, Sabalenka avoided a similar sporting slump from the previous year. The two-time Australian Open winner also looked set to win the 2023 final against American crowd favorite Coco Gauff, but lost the title in three sets.
Now leading 3-0 in the second half, but then falling behind 3-5, she fought back and this time stayed calm. After 1:53, Sabalenka converted her second match point.
The atmospheric atmosphere of Arthur Ashe Stadium
As Pegula entered the Arthur Ashe Stadium, she took off her oversized headphones and absorbed the atmosphere and cheers of the closed-door crowd of more than 23,000. “She plays very strong tennis, very fast and aggressive,” Sabalenka warned her opponent just before the start of the match.
The stands are filled with celebrities: Formula One record world champion Lewis Hamilton (left) flanked by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Photo: Frank Franklin Jr./AP/dpa
And Pegula showed these traits early on. In the semifinals, she had a miserable start against Czech Karolina Muchova, now trailing 1:6, 0:2. Now she received Sabalenka’s serve early to make it 2-1.
The Belarusian did not give up at first. She dominated the rallies with her power tennis, winning many points with direct winning strokes and then hitting the net to take a 5:2 lead.
The audience whips Pegula
But with the score at 5:3 and Pegula on break point, the crowd erupted in applause after Sabalenka’s mistake on her first serve. Sabalenka swung her next forehand well out of bounds. The tension was rising and the atmosphere was getting more and more heated. Sabalenka tried to use this to her advantage mentally and encouraged the crowd to cheer even louder after her spectacular strike.
Four-time NBA champion Curry covered his face in horror when Pegula sent a 5-6 easy backhand into the net. Moments later, Sabalenka won the first set with a break.
And the favorite did not give up. She immediately took the serve from Pegula, who threw her racket on the ground in frustration. Sabalenka was ahead 3-0 and there was also a break ball. So, everything is clear? Not at all. Pegula fought back again.
Suddenly the American was ahead 5:3 and started to shake. The outsider could no longer win the game. When her forehand went out, the dream of the title was gone.
