Jessica Pegula to face Aryna Sabalenka in US Open Women's singles Final

US Open 

Friday, 6 September, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

World Number 6 Jessica Pegula will clash with second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open Finals after both commanded victories in their Semi Finals encounters on Thursday. 

Pegula came back from a set down to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 against 25th seed Karolina Muchova on Thursday night for a berth in her first Grand Slam final.

Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka overcame Emma Navarro in double sets by 6-3, 7-6 on Thursday night with her usual brand of high-risk, high-reward tennis.

The 26-year old Belarusian moved into her second consecutive final at Flushing Meadows with a strong start and a late surge. 

Sabalenka, a back-to-back Australian Open champion, ended up a victory short of claiming the championship in New York a year ago, when she lost to Coco Gauff in front of a rowdy partisan crowd.

Sabalenka will face a hard test against 30-year-old Pegula who has won 15 matches in her last 16 encounters, recently winning the Ned bank Open. Jessica Pegula also took down the No. 1 seed in the quarterfinals. 

It was not an easy battle for Pegula over Muchova,as the 2023 French Open runner-up but unseeded after missing about 10 months because of wrist surgery, employed every ounce of her versatility and creativity, the traits that make her so hard to deal with on any surface.

"I came out flat, but she was playing unbelievable. She made me look like a beginner," Pegula said. "I was about to burst into tears because it was embarrassing. She was destroying me."

Pegula's win means that both the men's and women's final will feature an American, the first time that has happened at a major since 2009 Wimbledon. The last time it happened at the US Open was in 2002; that year, Serena Williams defeated Venus Williams, and Pete Sampras beat Andre Agassi.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka Hilariously responded to an unexpected fan cheers after the Victory against Navarro. 

"Well, guys, now you are cheering for me," Sabalenka said with a laugh during her on-court interview after the match was over. "Well, it's a bit too late."

Sabalenka joked after her previous match she would try to sway the crowd to her side by buying booze.

"Last year, it was a very tough experience. Very tough lesson. Today in the match, I was, like, 'No, no, no, Aryna. It's not going to happen again. You have to control your emotions. You have to focus on yourself,'" Sabalenka said. "There was people supporting for me; I was trying to focus on them. I'm thinking, 'Come on. There's so many people supporting you. There is your team in the box. There is your family. Just focus on yourself and try to -- not try, just fight for it.'" She added. 

The Final will be played on Sunday.