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 0-2 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!
Sabalenka finds an excellent combination to put the backhand winner down the line, and a miss from Pegula gives Sabalenka an early look at break point on 15-40.
Ah that’s tough. A double fault is not what Pegula needed. Sabalenka breaks and Pegula throws her racket away in frustration. That was cheap.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka with a quick hold to start the second set.
There were two long service games at the very end of the first: Pegula had break point against Sabalenka on 5-5, but Sabalenka held. Then Pegula saved four set points and then had game point to send it to a tiebreak, but Sabalenka came back to break.
Fine margins.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 Aryna Sabalenka*
There was not a lot in that first set and Pegula has plenty of reason to believe that she can come back into this after appearing to find some cracks in the World No 2’s game.
As expected, the match is being played on Sabalenka’s racket. She finished with 25 winners to 23 unforced errors, but served poorly overall.
That gave Pegula a chance, especially when she trailed 5-2.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 Aryna Sabalenka - Sabalenka wins first set!
This is Pegula’s longest service game... and her first double fault gives Sabalenka a fifth set point.
Surely this time as Sabalenka lines up the attack on the backhand return.
Yes, Sabalenka claims it at last! Pegula can hang on no longer, and nets down low on the backhand side.
What a set of tennis, as the clock ticks over an hour.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka
Pegula works the point wonderfully on deuce, with Sabalenka stuck on her forehand side. But then Pegula nets with the court open for the winner!
Third set point: Sabalenka can’t take advantage! Let off for Pegula, but Sabalenka resets wonderfully. She pulls Pegula in with the drop shot before flashing the forehand winner.
Set point number four: SAVED again! Pegula’s wide serve is returned into the net by Sabalenka. This is high, high drama.
Gutsy second serve from Pegula on deuce, and Sabalenka can’t keep it in play! Game point... somehow, Sabalenka wins it! She clips the baseline with a massive forehand, then finds perfect touch with the drop volley.
Deuce.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka fires an attack at the Pegula second serve, before the American lets a forehand droop into the net.
15-30. Sabalenka two points away.
Now only one! Pegula now nets on the backhand, after Sabalenka dials the return in.
Two set points on 15-40. Sabalenka and Pegula hit up and down the court, in the longest rally of the match! Finally, Sabalenka blinks on shot 19.
One more set point on 30-40. Sabalenka fires long on the return! Two set points saved.
Another deuce.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka
Fourth deuce. But a poor miss from Pegula on the rally down the middle of the court. Sabalenka, though, looks frustrated that she’s not closed this out already.
She’s done so now.
Big hold.
Huge pressure.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-5 Aryna Sabalenka
Suddenly we’re into tiebreak territory, which is not where I thought we were going when Sabalenka broke to lead 5-2.
Pegula paints the line with a crisp angled forehand winner, getting herself to 30-30. Double fault from Sabalenka! Her third of the match, and she whacks her racket off the court!
30-40, and break point: but Sabalenka survives with a brave backhand winner! She is putting everything on the line.
Deuce. Sabalenka wins a gutsy point, but then throws in another big double fault after going aggressive on the second serve!
Backhand winner crosscourt from Sabalenka! The margins are so fine here. Pegula replies with a backhand winner of her own down the line!
What a game this is! Back to deuce.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-5 Aryna Sabalenka*
Pegula is making sure she’s getting a high first-serve percentage and it’s paying off: the American is looking really strong behind her first serve now, and jumps to 40-0 as Sabalenka fires her latest error before changing her racket.
40-15, but Pegula misses on the forehand with the court wide open. Suddenly there’s tension again but Pegula finds depth and Sabalenka nets.
5-5! Three games in a row for Pegula.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 4-5 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!
Wow. Mark that game with a red pen.
A series of big errors from Sabalenka as she served for the set. Pegula managed just to hang in the rallies. She fights on after breaking back in this opening set, and raises her arms asking for more support!
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