Aryna Sabalenka Defeats Jessica Pegula To Punch Ticket To US Open Finals

Jessica Pegula walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium with one thing on her mind: payback. After losing to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s US Open final, the Buffalo Bills owner’s daughter was hungry for revenge. But sometimes in tennis, wanting something badly isn’t enough to make it happen.

What we witnessed was a masterclass in championship mettle as the world No. 1 fought back from a set down to eliminate Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The Belarusian powerhouse showed exactly why she’s sitting atop the rankings, turning what could have been a crushing defeat into another trip to tennis’s biggest stage. Will she finish the deal on Sunday?

Pegula’s Perfect Start Gives False Hope

The American came out swinging like she’d been dreaming of this moment all year. After Sabalenka grabbed an early 4-2 lead in the opening set, most folks probably thought we were headed for another routine beatdown. But Pegula had other plans.

What happened next was pure tennis theater. The 30-year-old broke back immediately, then rode a wave of momentum that had the capacity crowd losing their minds. She reeled off the final four games to steal the first set 6-4, serving it out at love like she owned the place. Her first-serve percentage was a ridiculous 77%, and she converted on 74% of those points. For 45 minutes, Pegula looked like she belonged on this stage with the game’s elite.

The Champion’s Response

But here’s the thing about champions – they don’t stay down for long. After requesting a medical timeout between sets and probably some serious soul-searching in the locker room, Sabalenka emerged like a different player entirely.

The second set was pure domination. Sabalenka raced to a 3-0 lead faster than you could say “defending champion” and never looked back. Her serve became a weapon of mass destruction, winning 74% of her service points without facing a single break point. She cranked out 15 winners to Pegula’s measly seven, turning the match completely on its head.

Third Set Drama Delivers Championship Moments

The final set had everything you want in a US Open semifinal. Early breaks, clutch holds, and enough drama to make your heart skip a beat. Sabalenka jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Pegula wasn’t going quietly into that good night.

At 3-2, with Sabalenka serving, the American had three break points staring at her. Three chances to flip this match back in her favor. But champions find a way, and Sabalenka saved all three with the kind of gutsy tennis that separates the pretenders from the contenders.

The ending was pure comedy and tragedy rolled into one. Sabalenka had match point at 5-3 and proceeded to dump an overhead into the net. The crowd gasped, Pegula’s hopes soared, and tennis fans everywhere got ready for more drama. But on her third match point, Sabalenka finally found her mark with a crosscourt forehand winner that painted the line. The roar that followed could probably be heard in Manhattan.

The Numbers Tell the Real Story

While Pegula fought valiantly, the match statistics reveal why Sabalenka is the defending champion. The Belarusian blasted 42 winners compared to Pegula’s 21. Seven aces to three. When the chips were down, she elevated her game to championship level. Sabalenka finished with a 67% first-serve percentage and won 74% of those points. More importantly, she saved five of seven break points when it mattered most.

What’s Next For the Defending Champion

Now Sabalenka gets another chance to lift the trophy she claimed last year. Standing in her way will be either Amanda Anisimova or Naomi Osaka – both dangerous opponents with their own revenge stories to write.

This has been a season of near-misses for the 27-year-old. She fell in the Australian Open final to Madison Keys, lost the French Open final to Coco Gauff, and couldn’t get past Anisimova in the Wimbledon semifinals. Another major title would validate her position atop the women’s game and prove that last year’s triumph wasn’t a fluke.

For Pegula, it’s another heartbreaking end to a Grand Slam run. She pockets $1.26 million for reaching the semis, but you know that’s cold comfort right now. At 30, these opportunities don’t come around forever. But watching her compete with the world’s best, you can’t help but think her time will come. Just not today, and not against this version of Aryna Sabalenka.