\n<\/p>\n
Sabalenka has not tasted defeat in New York since losing the 2023 final to Gauff, but there were doubts over her title defence following a poor run-up to the tournament.<\/p>\n
After a strong start to the season that saw her win the ‘Sunshine Double’ at Indian Wells and Miami in March, Sabalenka suffered a quarter-final defeat at Roland Garros and a fourth-round exit at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n
However, she has found her form again, dropping just one set en route to the final.<\/p>\n
“I was super desperate,” Sabalenka said after her win over Pegula.<\/p>\n
“It feels for me, talking about Grand Slams, like a last push of the season. <\/p>\n
“I wanted it badly to go to the finals, and of course, I want to go all the way.”<\/p>\n
In a tense opening first set, Sabalenka bristled with frustration early on as unforced errors crept into her game while Pegula settled quickly and struck the ball cleanly.<\/p>\n
But eventually the four-time major singles winner found her rhythm and, after striking decisively at 6-5 to take the first set, she cranked up the power.<\/p>\n
Pegula looked helpless as Sabelanka raced through the second set, with the Belarusian pounding 29 winners to her 12.<\/p>\n
The victory sees Sabalenka break the Open era record for the most Grand Slam hard-court finals in a row, with the 28-year-old reaching every major final on her favoured surface since the 2023 Australian Open.<\/p>\n
For 32-year-old Pegula – the only semi-finalist without a Grand Slam title – it is yet another US Open defeat by long-time rival Sabalenka.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka denied the third seed a maiden major in the 2024 final, while she also got the better of her in last year’s semi-finals – although Pegula had won their most recent meeting in June’s Berlin Open.<\/p>\n
“I do think she probably would have beaten 99% of people,” Pegula said.<\/p>\n
“Probably the best match she’s played this year.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n