Aryna Sabalenka in tears as she banks $3.6million with US Open win over American Jessica Pegula in front of the stars
Aryna Sabalenka is the women’s singles champion at the US Open with a 7-5 7-5 victory over American Jessica Pegula.
The Belarusian claims her first title at Flushing Meadows having claimed her previous two Grand Slams at the Australian Open.
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When her victory was confirmed, Sabalenka rushed up to her coaching team and loved ones in the Arthur Ashe Stadium and cut an emotional figure when celebrating the title.
With this win, Sabalenka, who lost last year’s final to Coco Gauff, banks a whopping $3.6million with the prize money for winners in the singles draws going up by $600,000 from last year.
Meanwhile, Pegula will earn $1.8m for reaching the final.
The final on Saturday evening was played out in front of a star-studded crowd with F1 icon Lewis Hamilton and Olympic champion Noah Lyles sitting next to each other in the stands.
Meanwhile, NBA legend Steph Curry was in the crowd, as was American tennis legends Billie-Jean King and Andy Roddick and Tracy Austin.
American composer Jeff Richmond and actor wife Tina Fey were also at the match as was US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.
Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson was also seen in the crowd.
Defeat broke the heart of Pegula, who dreamed of winning a maiden grand slam title in front of an American crowd in the New York state she was born.
She had strong support on Arthur Ashe but was unable to tame Sabalenka’s power despite serving for the second set.
Still, it was a fine tournament for the 30-year-old, whose tycoon father owns NFL side Buffalo Bills, and she continues to knock on the door on the biggest stage.
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It looked like Sabalenka was in for an easy evening when she won four out of five games to serve for the first set at 5-3.
But then it all started getting a bit complicated and her capitulation in last year’s final must have come into her head.
Pegula rallied to level at 5-5 and had a break point to go in front, but Sabalenka dug herself out of a hole.
She then put the American’s serve under pressure and eventually broke to take the first set at the fifth attempt.
That appeared to ease the pressure and Sabalenka raced into a 3-0 lead in the second set, with glory seemingly in touching distance.
But another wobble came as Pegula rattled off five successive games, which allowed herself to serve to level at one set apiece.
Sabalenka must have been having palpitations at the thought of history repeating itself but she intervened.
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A crunch break at 5-4 saved her from going into a decider before an even bigger hold to move a game away.
Suddenly Pegula was serving to stay in the match, but the Belarusian was on a mission and claimed a straight-sets victory.
