The 27-year-old fought a close semifinal against Jessica Pegula.
Third final, first triumph this year? Aryna Sabalenka is in the US Open final again. Last year’s winner from Belarus prevailed in a thrilling semifinal in New York, defeating American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, and is now just one step away from successfully defending her title. Sabalenka is aiming for her fourth Grand Slam triumph overall and her first this year.
“Of course, I’m super happy to be back in the final and hope to go all the way again,” said Sabalenka, who could defend her US Open title for the first time since Serena Williams in 2014: “I will fight for every point in the final as if it were the last of my life.” Her opponent for Saturday’s title match will be determined by Japan’s Naomi Osaka and Pegula’s compatriot Amanda Anisimova.
Sabalenka suffered defeats in the finals in Melbourne and Paris, and the world number one was knocked out in the semifinals at Wimbledon, so she is hungry for a major title. The 27-year-old needed to play her best tennis against Pegula, whom she defeated in last year’s final at Flushing Meadows. Pegula, on the other hand, is still waiting for her first major title.