US Open—Flushing Meadows, New York
Sabalenka Wins First US Open Title; Defeats Pegula
No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka captured her first US Open title on Saturday, defeating home-country favourite Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5.
Needing one hour and 53 minutes to seal her title, Sabalenka used her power game to hit 40 winners, produce six aces and break serve on six occasions.
Recently defeating Pegula to win the Cincinnati Open in Mason, Ohio, Sabalenka improved her overall record against the No. 6 seed to 6-2.
Winning her second Australian Open earlier this year in Melbourne, Sabalenka solidified herself as the best hard-court player on the WTA.
Improving to 46-11 on season, Sabalenka will stay at No. 2 in the world when the latest rankings are released.
The 26-year-old also took home $3.6 million in prize money.
Pegula, who capped off a sensational summer season by reaching her first Major final, won the National Bank Open in Toronto, Canada, made the finals in Cincinnati and the finals in New York.
The 30-year-old will move up to No. 3 in the world when the latest rankings are released.
Pegula had defeated top seed Iga Swiatek, No. 18 seed Diana Shnaider and Karolina Muchova to reach the finals.
Men’s Final Preview: Jannik Sinner vs. Taylor Fritz
Sunday’s men’s final at the US Open will feature two of the game’s best baseline players.
Jannik Sinner, who has proven that he is the best hard-court player on the ATP Tour, will try to capture his second Grand Slam title of the season in New York.
Winning his maiden Slam in Australia to start the year, Sinner has also won the Miami Open, Cincinnati Open, and the 500 level events in Rotterdam and Halle.
Full of confidence, the 23-year-old also stands and 54-5 on the season. He will look to improve his head-to-head record against his opponent Taylor Fritz to 2-1.
Leading into the final, Sinner defeated No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev, No. 14 seed Tommy Paul and No. 25 seed Jack Draper.
Fritz, who will be aiming to become the first American male to win a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open, has proven that his hard work and dedication continues to pay off.
Remaining fit as a fiddle throughout the year, Fritz needed all of his experience and power off the ground to defeat his good friend and fellow American Frances Tiafoe in five sets on Friday evening.
Fritz has produced great tennis this fortnight and also collected victories over No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev, No. 8 seed Casper Ruud, and former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini.
The American will move up to at least No. 7 in the rankings at the end of the event, and No. 6 should he capture his first Grand Slam crown.
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