Leading 3–0 in the second set, Sabalenka was forced to fend off a strong comeback from Pegula, who threatened to take the third set by winning five consecutive games. But Sabalenka came back with four consecutive games to win her first US Open singles trophy.
With the win, Sabalenka became the first woman to claim both hard-court majors in the same season since 2016, when Germany's Angelique Kerber won both the Australian Open and US Open titles.
With this title, Sabalenka can also be crowned the queen of hard court. His first two major titles were won on cement in January this year and the Australian Open in 2023.
Outside the majors, 11 of Sabalenka's 13 titles have been won on hard courts. And the No. 2 seed is on a 12-match hard-court winning streak, having won the Cincinnati Open two weeks ago – defeating Pegula in the final there.
Sabalenka will remain world No. 2 and Iga Swiatek will retain her No. 1 spot despite losing in the quarterfinals here.
Although Pegula could not claim the trophy, she would earn a new career high WTA ranking on the strength of her best performance. On Monday, the American will move up three places to No. 3 in the world.
With the win, Sabalenka became the first woman to claim both hard-court majors in the same season since 2016, when Germany's Angelique Kerber won both the Australian Open and US Open titles.
With this title, Sabalenka can also be crowned the queen of hard court. His first two major titles were won on cement in January this year and the Australian Open in 2023.
Outside the majors, 11 of Sabalenka's 13 titles have been won on hard courts. And the No. 2 seed is on a 12-match hard-court winning streak, having won the Cincinnati Open two weeks ago – defeating Pegula in the final there.
Sabalenka will remain world No. 2 and Iga Swiatek will retain her No. 1 spot despite losing in the quarterfinals here.
Although Pegula could not claim the trophy, she would earn a new career high WTA ranking on the strength of her best performance. On Monday, the American will move up three places to No. 3 in the world.
