Pegula fights back to set up US Open final against Sabalenka

Jessica Pegula has advanced to her first Grand Slam singles final, where she will face Aryna Sabalenka, who is making her fourth appearance in a major final.

In a thrilling comeback at the US Open, home favourite Pegula rallied from a set down, as well as being a break and break point behind, to defeat Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. This victory secures Pegula’s spot in her maiden major singles final.

Her opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, continued her dominant run, advancing to the US Open final for the second consecutive year. She overcame American Emma Navarro with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) win. Sabalenka’s back-to-back finals appearance makes her the first woman since Serena Williams in 2019 to achieve this feat at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka, the world number two, will face a crowd likely in full support of New York native Pegula during Saturday’s final. Despite the home advantage for Pegula, Sabalenka has already handled similar situations, playfully calling out the crowd for their support of Navarro during her post-match interview.

“Now you’re cheering for me, but it’s a bit late,” Sabalenka joked. “It really means a lot. Even though you were supporting her, I still got goosebumps hearing your cheers.”

Previously, Sabalenka had promised the audience drinks if they supported her. In a lighthearted moment, she said, “Margaritas for everyone!”

Pegula, who had struggled to advance past the quarterfinals in six previous Grand Slam tournaments, recently defeated world number one Iga Swiatek to reach the semifinals. Reflecting on her hard-fought victory over Muchova, Pegula said, “I started off slow, and she was playing unbelievably well. She made me feel like a beginner.”

“I was on the verge of tears because it was embarrassing how she was dominating me,” Pegula added. “Honestly, I don’t know how I turned things around.”