Sabalenka Surges Past Pegula in Epic US Open Semi-Final Comeback
NEW YORK, Sept. 4 – On a hot and emotionally charged night at Arthur Ashe Stadium, world number one Aryna Sabalenka showcased why she is currently the most formidable force in women’s tennis. Facing adversity from the outset, Sabalenka clawed her way back from a set down to defeat American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, keeping her hopes of a historic US Open title defense alive.
In a match that tested the nerves, patience, and physical endurance of both players, Sabalenka’s grit and firepower ultimately overwhelmed the fourth-seeded Pegula. The Belarusian, who had already reached three major semi-finals this year, came into the match carrying the burden of expectation — and left the court one win away from etching her name into the history books once more.
A Clash of Determined Titans
The encounter between Sabalenka and Pegula had the weight of history behind it. This wasn’t just a Grand Slam semi-final; it was a rivalry renewed. The two had already faced off multiple times in high-stakes matches in 2024, with Sabalenka having triumphed in the Miami Open final and Cincinnati Masters final, asserting her dominance in the head-to-head record.
But Pegula arrived in Flushing Meadows with a new sense of purpose. The 30-year-old American had been playing some of the best tennis of her career throughout the fortnight. Having breezed through the early rounds with clinical precision, she looked poised to challenge the best in the world — and Sabalenka, as top seed and defending champion, was the ultimate test.
Set One: Pegula Starts Strong
From the very first ball, the tension was palpable. A roaring crowd, eager to see the home favorite advance, brought energy to the stadium that could either buoy a player or completely unnerve them.
Pegula fed off the home support in the early stages. Known for her consistency and strategic court coverage, the American played a near-flawless opening set. She committed just three unforced errors while absorbing Sabalenka’s thunderous groundstrokes with poise.
After an early exchange of breaks, Pegula capitalized on a crucial moment in the ninth game. With Sabalenka serving at 4-4, she faced a break point and misfired a forehand just wide, handing Pegula a 5-4 lead. The American then calmly served out the set, drawing a wave of applause from the crowd.
Sabalenka appeared rattled — her footwork looked a step slow, and her shot selection was erratic. The fiery Belarusian, known for her emotional on-court demeanor, walked off for a bathroom break at the set’s end, searching for clarity and resolve.
Set Two: Sabalenka Recalibrates
Whatever Sabalenka told herself during that break clearly worked.
The second set saw a dramatic shift in momentum. With renewed aggression and a cleaner hitting rhythm, Sabalenka broke Pegula in the second game with a blistering forehand winner that signaled her intent. The power and precision that had brought her to the top of the WTA rankings were back in full force.
“I just kept telling myself: ‘One point at a time, one game at a time,’” Sabalenka would later reveal in her post-match press conference. “I knew I had to stop thinking about the past — the missed chances in the first set — and just focus on what’s next.”
Sabalenka’s serve, which had faltered early, began to click. She fired eight aces across the match, many of them coming at crucial moments in the second set. Her forehand — a weapon feared by all — painted the lines with increasing frequency. Pegula, though still fighting valiantly, struggled to keep up with the sheer pace and aggression coming from across the net.
Sabalenka closed out the set 6-3, sending the match into a decider with the momentum clearly on her side.
Final Set: High Drama Under the Lights
The third set was tennis at its finest — a combination of mental warfare, shot-making brilliance, and raw athleticism. Sabalenka broke Pegula in the very first game and roared with emotion, pumping her fist toward her coaching box.
But Pegula refused to go quietly.
In the sixth game of the set, Sabalenka found herself in a titanic battle to hold serve. Pegula had three break points and appeared on the verge of swinging the match back in her favor. But Sabalenka’s mental resolve — questioned in the past — stood firm. She saved all three break points with fearless tennis, including one with a 112 mph ace down the T.
“It was a really tough moment,” Sabalenka admitted. “But I kept fighting. I knew she was going to make me earn every point.”
Despite the missed opportunity, Pegula didn’t back down. In the ninth game, she faced two match points and saved them both with gutsy play, eliciting loud cheers from the pro-American crowd.
But on the third match point, Sabalenka unleashed a signature forehand winner, struck with such authority and placement that even Pegula could only watch as it scorched past her.
Sabalenka screamed in triumph — a guttural, primal roar — and dropped to her knees as the crowd buzzed with admiration, even among those who had hoped for an American finalist.
Sabalenka’s Grand Slam Redemption Tour
With the victory, Sabalenka books her place in the US Open final for the second straight year. The top seed is now just one win away from becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (2013–14) to win back-to-back titles in New York.
But this year’s path has been different.
While Sabalenka has ascended to world number one and claimed multiple tour titles, a major singles trophy in 2024 has remained elusive — until now, potentially. She finished runner-up at both the Australian Open and French Open and fell in the Wimbledon semi-finals, narrowly missing out on what could have been a dream season.
“If I can win here, it would mean the world,” Sabalenka said. “I’ve been so close this year — so many finals, so many big matches. To finally lift that trophy again in New York would be unbelievable. I’d be the happiest person on Earth.”
Pegula: A Performance to Build On
While the loss was undoubtedly a bitter pill for Pegula, her performance at the US Open marked a step forward. She had never reached this far at her home Slam before and played some of the best tennis of her career over the past fortnight.
“I thought I played her much better than I have in our last matches,” said Pegula, who now trails 2-8 in their head-to-head. “Strategically I was stronger. I understood what I needed to do. But she was just too good at certain moments.”
Pegula’s serve, return, and backhand — all reliable tools in her arsenal — held up under pressure for the majority of the match. But Sabalenka’s elite firepower proved the difference, particularly in the crucial moments.
Still, Pegula leaves New York with her head held high. At age 30, she continues to improve, and her place among the WTA’s elite is no longer questioned.
“I’ll keep fighting,” she said. “And I’ll go out there in my next match, next tournament, and give everything I’ve got — like it’s the last point of my life.”
A Historic Final Awaits
Sabalenka now awaits the winner of the other semi-final — a blockbuster showdown between four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka and American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova.
If Sabalenka were to triumph in the final, she would become only the second woman in the Open Era (after Serena Williams) to successfully defend her US Open crown in over a decade. It would also mark her second career Grand Slam singles title — a momentous achievement in a season defined by consistency and heartbreak at the final hurdle.
No matter who she faces next, Sabalenka will enter the championship match as the favorite. But if Thursday’s semi-final proved anything, it’s that tennis — and especially Grand Slam tennis — rarely follows the script.
Looking Ahead
Sabalenka’s combination of brute strength and mental fortitude has elevated her game to a new level. But she knows the job isn’t finished yet.
“I’m not thinking about the trophy just yet,” she said. “There’s still one more match to win.”
And if Thursday night’s performance is any indication, Aryna Sabalenka is ready — not just to win — but to dominate.
