Aryna Sabalenka holds off Jessica Pegula charge in US Open 2024 final to win maiden title in New York
Aryna Sabalenka held off Jessica Pegula and the New York fans cheering on their local favorite in Saturday's final at the 2024 US Open to win her maiden title in New York. The Belarusian is now the proud owner of three Grand Slams, including the two Australian Open titles in her bag.
Sabalenka, the more experienced of the two when it comes to playing on the big stage, started off on the front foot on Arthur Ashe Stadium, racing away to a 5-2 lead in the opening set. However, Pegula bounced back to level the scores at 5-5, only to lose her next service game and with it the set, 5-7.
In the second set, however, the American was far more confident and raced away to a 5-3 lead of her own. However, disaster struck when she was serving for the set, as a loose service game gave Sabalenka the break right back.
At 5*-6, serving to stay in the match, Pegula's serve faltered for the second time in a row, handing the set 5-7 to the World No. 2, and with it the match.
The title marks Aryna Sabalenka's second Grand Slam title of the season, having won the Australian Open to start the year. Before that, she had won the title in Melbourne the previous year for her maiden Major trophy.
At the US Open this year, Sabalenka was also the defending runner-up, having lost to Coco Gauff in the summit clash in 2023.
Aryna Sabalenka remains World No. 2 despite US Open title win
Despite her title win at the 2024 US Open, Aryna Sabalenka will have to contend with remaining World No. 2 for a while longer. The Belarusian is still more than 2,000 ranking points away from World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who lost in the quarterfinals to Jessica Pegula at Flushing Meadows.
Pegula, meanwhile, will become the new World No. 3 on Monday when the rankings refresh. She will also take over from Coco Gauff as the new American No. 1. Gauff, the defending champion in New York this time, exited in the fourth round, falling to compatriot Emma Navarro. The American will now fall to as low as World No. 6.
Elena Rybakina will continue to be the World No. 4 for now, followed by defending French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini at No. 5. Navarro, meanwhile, will break into the top 10 for the first time in her career, and debut at World No. 8 next week.