Aryna Sabalenka won her first US Open title as she put the regret of last year’s final behind her to hold off home hope Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka was seen smashing her racquet on the floor of the locker room after losing the Flushing Meadows showpiece to Coco Gauff in 2023.
However, 12 months on, the Belarusian second seed earned redemption in New York, dropping to the floor in celebration after settling a thrilling 7-5 7-5 win over Pegula.
It is a third Grand Slam singles trophy for Sabalenka after she successfully protected her Australian Open title in January.
It also continues her supremacy on hard courts, with the win over Pegula extending Sabalenka’s unbeaten run on the surface at major tournaments to 14 matches.
“I’m speechless right now. It’s always been a dream of mine and finally I got this beautiful trophy,” Sabalenka said.
The 26-year-old ran up to her player’s box to celebrate the victory, hugging her team and jokingly slapping the head of her strength and conditioning coach Jason Stacy, who had a replica of Sabalenka’s tiger tattoo printed on the area.
“If you’re really working hard sacrificing everything for your dream, you’re going to get it one day,” she added.
“I’m just super proud of myself. I never say that but I’m super proud of myself.
“I’m super proud of my team that no matter what, we were able to go through it and get all those beautiful trophies.”
For sixth seed Pegula, the wait for a first major title goes on.
Playing in a first Grand Slam singles final, the 30-year-old was buoyed by a partisan crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium and made a late flow to halt Sabalenka.
But Sabalenka fought back from a 5-3 second-set deficit before wrapping up victory in one hour and 53 minutes to claim 2,000 ranking points and $3.6m (£3.04m) in prize money.
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