Aryna Sabalenka beats Pegula, sets up US Open final with Anisimova

Overview

• Aryna Sabalenka has reached her third consecutive US Open final.
• She defeated Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a thrilling semifinal clash.
• The defending champion has set up a final against Amanda Anisimova.

Aryna Sabalenka has reached her third consecutive US Open final after defeating Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a thrilling semifinal clash. With the victory, the defending champion has set up a final against Amanda Anisimova on September 7, where she will aim to retain her crown.

After the win, Sabalenka said her focus was only on staying calm and taking things step by step.

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"In this match I was actually just trying to take one step at a time. I was, like, it's OK if you didn't close it from the first match point. You're playing great tennis. Just go try and [be] better,” she said.

Looking ahead to the title match, she described it as another big chance in her career.

"I'm super excited to give myself another opportunity, another final. If I'll be able to hold that trophy, it's going to mean a lot for me. I'll be just the happiest person on earth probably," Sabalenka added.

Meanwhile, Pegula reflected on her performance and said she felt she had executed her strategy better than in previous meetings.

"I could have done different at the end" - Pegula

"I think strategically I played her much better than I have played her the last few times," she said. "I feel like going into the next match, I kind of know what I need to do. Obviously executing it is a different story.”

She also admitted that small details made the difference in the end.

"I think there were some things, very small things, I could have done different at the end, but it's, like, I mean, I'm nitpicking things. If she's going to come out and I was hitting some good returns and she's going to blast first-ball winners, literally some of them on the line, I don't know what I'm supposed to do about that," she explained.

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On the overall level of the contest, Pegula said the match was closely fought.

"I mean, I thought I played some really good points to win the first. She upped her level, started serving a lot better in the second. Then I felt like it was really even in the third. Like, there wasn't that much difference. I felt like we were both serving pretty well."