by Jessica Pegula is hoping to cap her US Open run by winning her first Grand Slam title today in New York. She will face Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time reigning Australian Open champion and WTA World No. 2. While Sabalenka may have the edge in Grand Slam final experience (she won two and lost in the US Open final last year), Pegula knocked off Iga Swiatek, the top-ranked player on the planet, on her way to the final. So big matches on this big stage will be no stranger to her.
The two players have met seven times before, most recently in the Cincinnati final three weeks ago. Sabalenka won that match in three sets to claim the title and lead their all-time series 5-2. Pegula’s last win over Sabalenka came in the first round of the 2023 WTA Finals, where she lost to Swiatek in the final match of that tournament.
How to watch the US Open women’s singles final Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka
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Sabalenka holds serve and leads 3-2
Sabalenka is starting to assert her power. While Pegula is holding her serve and returns, Sabalenka is gaining confidence by hitting the ball harder and more accurately.
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Sabalenka seemed a little frustrated early in the match at not being able to dominate Pegula with her serve or forehand return. But she broke Pegula’s serve and may have managed to come back to level at 2-2 by taking the upper hand.
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Pegula breaks away from Sabalenka and leads 2-1
Due to heavy rain in Queens, the roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium is closed. Many have observed that the noise of the rain combined with the crowd creates too much noise and can throw off the players’ timing if they cannot hear the ball being hit.
Maybe that’s what’s helped Pegula so far…? She has to serve next.
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Pegula holds her own against Sabalenka’s serve early in the first set. If one could have thought she might have fears against the No. 2 seed, she doesn’t show it.
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Sabalenka serves first
Sabalenka gets the first serve after Pegula wins the coin toss and elects to receive. She learned that from her parents’ soccer team, maybe?
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Sabalenka is 5-2 against Pegula
No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka is 5-2 in her meetings with No. 1 seed Jessica Pegula. The two last met in the Cincinnati Open final, which Sabalenka won 6-3, 7-5.
This is Sabalenka’s second consecutive US Open final. She was defeated by Coco Gauff 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. For Pegula, this is her first Grand Slam final.
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Buffalo Bills cheer on Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula, daughter of Buffalo Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula, received congratulations from the football team Saturday ahead of the U.S. Open final.
Good pep talk! Maybe a Pegula win would be a good sign for the Bills, who face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 on Sunday.
