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 4-5 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!
Huge hitting from Sabalenka, working Pegula from side to side and then powering through.
But incredible defence from Pegula on 15-15! Sabalenka had a drive volley but Pegula recovered to lift the defensive lob, and Sabalenka found the net!
15-30. Pegula finds the block return, but then nets on the backhand! She can’t afford misses like that, after working herself into the point.
30-30. Double fault from Sabalenka! Ooff.
Break point Pegula. Sabalenka shuts the door with a massive forehand winner from inside the baseline, but then nets on the forehand on deuce!
These are key moments now. Back to break point!
Sabalenka can’t find her first serve... Pegula digs out the return... Sabalenka misses on the forehand!
Pegula stays alive!
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 3-5 Aryna Sabalenka*
Pegula forces Sabalenka to serve it out with a strong hold. The American found her first serve there - now she needs to go big on the returns. Can Sabalenka do it?
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 2-5 Aryna Sabalenka
Quite an untidy game from Sabalenka, veering from hot to cold point to point as Pegula targets the second serve.
Pegula digs in to get to deuce, dragging Sabalenka to six minutes in the longest game of the set so far, but Sabalenka finds her first serve and holds with an ace.
Sabalenka has won just two of nine second serves so far, while Pegula winning 0/4 on hers. The Belarusian moves a game away from the set.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 2-4 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!
Wow. Brutal power from Sabalenka, right through the middle of the court to blast Pegula away. A big return is followed by a series of blows to get to 15-40 and two breaks points.
And Pegula concedes with a forehand that drifts long. Sabalenka breaks with her third game in a row and will now serve for a 5-2 lead.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 2-3 Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka responds to a double fault on 30-30 with her fastest serve of the tournament. Pegula fires wide on the forehand and the Belarusian edges ahead with the first set on serve after that early trade of breaks.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 2-2 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!
There are some vicious forehands from both players already, as Sabalenka lands a big forehand winner against the Pegula serve to get to 0-30.
Pegula conjures an ace out wide, before Sabalenka nets on the backhand. 30-30, and this time Pegula finds an excellent angle on the forehand!
In response, Sabalenka throws herself at the forehand winner crosscourt and erupts behind the baseline after getting to deuce.
A loose forehand from Pegula gives Sabalenka a look a break point. And Sabalenka takes it: almost a copy of the last game, with a brutal backhand return into Pegula’s feet.
All square.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 2-1 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!
Monster return from Pegula on the forehand on 15-15, eventually winning the baseline rally. 15-30, and Pegula finds a return on a big Sabalenka serving, and hangs in the rally to force the miss on the forehand!
Now then. Two break points on 15-40.
WHAT A RETURN! A bomb from Pegula off the forehand side, aimed right at Sabalenka’s feet!
The early break goes to the American.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 1-1 Aryna Sabalenka*
Some crisp hitting early on from Pegula, who drops the first point on serve but then wins the next four to hold. Sabalenka would want a backhand slice back on 0-15, as it dropped into the bottom of the net.
It’s clear the crowd are fully behind Pegula tonight. Overwhelmingly so.
US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka
Pegula lands a stunning forehand winner on the opening point of the match, which is followed by a forehand miss from Sabalenka.
In previous years, Sabalenka might have felt the pressure on 0-30. Instead, she rattles off four big serves to take the hold without another rally.
The rain is pounding on the roof overhead. It’s really loud at court level.
US Open final: Jessica Pegula 0-0 Aryna Sabalenka*
The roof is closed on Arthur Ashe tonight - which is a good call as the heavens have just opened in Flushing Meadows!
It should be an electric atmosphere, especially if Pegula can really give this is a go. Sabalenka is the favourite, just as she was against Coco Gauff last year.
We know what that went: can Pegula pull off the same trick to keep the US Open in American hands? Sabalenka will serve to start.
*denotes next server
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