Aryna Sabalenka has secured her third grand slam title after overcoming American Jessica Pegula in the US Open women’s singles final.
The 26-year-old redeemed herself for the heartbreak of losing the US Open final last year, defeating Pegula 7-5, 7-5.
“Pure dominance … she’s the best hard court player in the world,” Jelena Dokic said on Nine.
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“The emotion coming out, we don’t see tears often. She won the Australian Open, it was always really just happiness but this is special because she wanted to win a different grand slam.
“… I think this is only the beginning, I don’t think she’s peaked yet.”
Prior to her victory over Pegula, Sabalenka had only won two Australian Open titles, making it her first US Open victory.
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The No.2-seeded Sabalenka appeared in full control when she reeled off five consecutive games to grab the opening set and move ahead 3-0 in the second, before No.6 Pegula made things more interesting.
In the next game, Pegula dropped a point and showed her frustration by whacking a ball off the video wall behind the baseline, dislodging a little square panel.
Maybe that released some tension for the 30-year-old American, because suddenly Pegula asserted herself, using her own five-game run.
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But when she served at 5-4 with a chance to force a third set, Pegula let Sabalenka level the second with a break.
That was part of a three-game, match-ending surge for Sabalenka, who soon was collapsing to the court, dropping her racquet and covering her face with both arms while lying on her back.
“Oh my God, I’m speechless right now … so many times I’ve felt I’ve been so close to getting a US Open title, it’s always been a dream of mine and finally I got this beautiful trophy,” she said at the trophy presentation.
“It means a lot.” – with AP