Sabalenka advances to fourth consecutive US Open final
Aryna Sabalenka has secured her spot in a fourth consecutive US Open final, overpowering Jessica Pegula with a 7-5, 6-2 victory. The Belarusian player, a two-time defending champion, extended her winning streak in New York to 19 matches. This win places her one victory away from achieving a ‘three-peat’ at the tournament.
Despite losing the world number one spot, which will be taken over by Elena Rybakina on Monday, Sabalenka expressed her strong desire to retain her US Open title. Her performance against Pegula showcased her determination, wrapping up the business-like victory in an hour and 20 minutes.
Sabalenka’s Path to the Final
In the first set against Jessica Pegula, the American third seed had displayed strong serving, winning 18 out of 20 points behind her first serve. However, at 5-6, Sabalenka unleashed three powerful returns, creating three set points. She converted the second set point when Pegula’s forehand landed in the net, securing the first set.
The momentum continued into the second set. Sabalenka earned more break points in the fourth game, and a return traveling at 146 km/h put the top seed firmly in control of the match. Her dominant play led to a straightforward win, which she celebrated with a simple clenched fist.
Sabalenka commented on her performance, stating, “No complaints, I’m super happy to be able to play such tennis. I was so desperate to win, I wanted it badly.”
The Other Semifinal Matchup
Meanwhile, the other women’s singles semifinal featured Elena Rybakina, the No. 2 seed, against No. 4 Coco Gauff. This match determined who would face Sabalenka in the final. The contest between Rybakina and Gauff went to a deciding third set after a back-and-forth battle.
Gauff initially won the first set 6-3. However, Rybakina responded by taking the second set 6-4, setting up a tense third set at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The second set saw both players register the same number of winners, but Gauff accumulated 14 unforced errors compared to Rybakina’s 10.
Rybakina’s powerful baseline play seemed to force Gauff into more aggressive shots, leading to these unforced errors. The final game of the second set, which ended with a Gauff forehand into the net, highlighted Rybakina’s ability to generate power from the baseline.
The second set was characterized by significant momentum swings. Rybakina broke Gauff to win the second set, carrying that momentum forward. Earlier in the set, Rybakina had established control, holding serve at love at one point, suggesting a potential quick finish to the set.
Despite Rybakina’s strong play, Gauff demonstrated resilience. She fought back to get on serve in the second set after being broken, and at one point, won three straight games to pull even at 4-4, energizing the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Gauff’s ability to absorb Rybakina’s powerful serve by standing far behind the baseline allowed her to engage in rallies and utilize her defensive skills.
Rybakina, on the other hand, made three unforced errors in one game, which allowed Gauff to break back. In the first set, Gauff had dropped only four points on her first serve, showcasing her strong start to the match. Rybakina committed 18 unforced errors in the first set, indicating areas she needed to improve to stay in contention.
The semifinal between Gauff and Rybakina was a dynamic match, with both players demonstrating their strengths and weaknesses. Rybakina’s ability to limit her mistakes was crucial in her comeback during the second set. The winner of this match will proceed to face Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
The final will see Sabalenka vying for her third consecutive title at the US Open.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com
