It is also the 26-year-old’s first victory in the US Open after a bitter final loss to Coco Gauff last year.
– I am speechless right now, I think about how many times I have thought I would make it, says a teary-eyed Sabalenka in the victory interview at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
Sabalenka, seeded second in the world rankings, won over sixth-ranked Pegula in two straight but numerically equal sets: 7–5, 7–5.
Pegula fought back after heavy losses in both the first and second sets, but did not hold on all the way. In the first, she leveled at 5–5 from 2–5, but Sabalenka managed to take the two decisive games. In the second, Pegula was down 0–3 but took five straight games and advanced to 5–3 before Sabalenka again showed who was the best this evening.
– Jessica played incredibly well and I am sure that she will win several grand slam titles in the future, says Sabalenka.
The win also means that Sabalenka collects $3.6 million in prize money, equivalent to SEK 37 million.
Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka heels the ball after a double fault in the US Open final against American Jessica Pegula, but eventually won in straight sets. Photo: Julia Nikhinson/AP/TT