US Open final LIVE: Aryna Sabalenka v Jessica Pegula result and reaction from gripping women’s final
Sabalenka won a US Open final full of twists and turns 7-5 7-5 to win her third grand slam title
Aryna Sabalenka won her first US Open title and third grand slam after beating home favourite Jessica Pegula to avenge last year’s final defeat.
There was heartbreak for Sabalenka in New York 12 months ago when Coco Gauff battled from a set down to win the US Open final. But a year later, Sabalenka subdued the home crowd and a charging Pegula to win 7-5 7-5.
There were nervy moments, particulary as the American Pegula, playing in her first grand slam final, fought back from 3-0 down to lead 5-3 in the second set. Pegula served to take the match into a third set but, once again, Sabalenka managed to overturn Pegula’s momentum and silence the home crowd
The World No 2 from Belarus adds the US Open title to back-to-back Australian Opens, having defended her crown in Melbourne at the start of the year.
It’s a big weekend for the Americans at the US Open, with home players through to the finals of both the women’s and men’s singles for the first time since 2002. Tomorrow, Taylor Fritz will face World No 1 Jannik Sinner for a shot at his first grand slam title.
Follow all the latest build-up, score updates and reaction from the US Open women’s final below:
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka
Pegula makes a strong start but Sabalenka scorches a crosscourt forehand winner, splitting the first two point.
But that’s nothing in comparison to this next winner, a huge forehand bomb crosscourt. Two points away at 15-30.
Pegula goes long! Sabalenka will have TWO MATCH POINTS. Pegula hangs on to save the first, as Sabalenka nets.
Sabalenka goes on the attack... Pegula stretches... Sabalenka powers the overhead and Pegula goes long!
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka holds brilliantly, with a big serve down the middle. Pegula had a rueful look after a return miss against the Sabalenka second serve on 30-15.
Sabalenka was 3-0 up in this set, but how has she come back here from 4-5 down?
Pegula now has to hold to force the tiebreak and keep the match alive. And it feels as if she’s lost the momentum again.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-5 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!
Right, can Pegula close this out now she’s ahead? Sabalenka makes the perfect start as she wins a wild point, reaching a Pegula drop shot and then producing a stunning overhead to move 0-15 up.
And now Sabalenka finds the baseline on the return! Pegula needs to dig in again. But a wild backhand flies long. Sabalenka has upped it on the baseline.
0-40. And three break points. Pegula saves the first. And the second! Sabalenka almost pulled off another escape, but the backhand was pushed long.
30-40... WINNER Sabalenka! She plays her best game of the set and strikes back just when she needed to. Suddenly the momentum swings again!
Wild !
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-4 Aryna Sabalenka
Nerves are all over the place. But Sabalenka stops Pegula’s run at five games with a much needed hold, forcing the American to serve it out to take this US Open final into a decider.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-3 Aryna Sabalenka*
Pegula confidently strikes out into a 30-0 lead on serve, before Sabalenka’s 30th unforced error of the match gets her to 40-30.
Pegula, though, commits a double fault - and seems to say to her box that she thought she had a first serve? Weird.
Anyway, deuce. Sabalenka takes a swing and Pegula is relieved as it drops wide. Pegula finds a lovely angle on the backhand exchange crosscourt.
Sabalenka nets. The crowd goes wild.
FIVE games in a row for Pegula.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 4-3 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!
Remarkable. From 30-0 on the Sabalenka serve, Pegula digs in and edges forward to put away a crisp volley and get back to 30-30.
What a forehand from Pegula! Now it’s 30-40 and break point. This is inspired from Pegula. Bold return. Lovely switch to go for the slice. And Sabalenka nets!
Pegula wins her fourth game in a row to move a break up in the second set! Sabalenka can’t believe it. Pegula was an inch, literally, at 0-30 30-40, from going 5-7 0-4 down.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 3-3 Aryna Sabalenka*
Wild. What a turnaround, and the crowd feel it.
Back-to-back drop shots, a wonderful forehand winner steered into open court.
40-0.
But, suddenly, Sabalenka wins the next two points and it’s a very different game again. Longest rally of the match! A 20-shot epic, and Pegula blinks first.
Deuce: Sabalenka has the chance at the backhand pass, but fires wide.
Another break point, can Pegula get this? Sabalenka swings, but throws the return long!
Back level at 3-3! Mad.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 2-3 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!
Pegula needs something. Could this be it from Sabalenka? It’s a gift of a forehand miss on 15-30, thrown well long of the baeline.
And it brings up two break points; Sabalenka saves the first with another bold winner that just catches the line.
Second break point: Pegula finds a brilliant, deep return, and Sabalenka floats long! Somehow Pegula has struck back!
Sabalenka was a point away from 4-0 and now it’s 3-2! Pegula was a set and a break down in the semi-final, too.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 1-3 Aryna Sabalenka*
Pegula is not sure what to do in the face of these Sabalenka’s attacks. The World No 2 finds another brilliant return winner to get a look at break point on 0-3.
It’s basically a match point, but Pegula hangs on in a tense baseline rally and then holds to get on the board in this set. She really needed that.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 0-3 Aryna Sabalenka
Now a love hold from Sabalenka.
Pegula needs to find a way to overturn the momentum. And fast.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments