US Open women’s final 2024: Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to win third Grand Slam title

After her loss to Gauff in last year’s final, a tearful Sabalenka admitted she had a hard time coping with the crowd, later saying the noise was so loud it “stopped my ears”.

This time, the atmosphere was no different: Pegula received most of the support from the packed stadium with 23,000 seats.

There were moments when it looked like Sabalenka would outsmart the situation again as she made 34 unforced errors and five double faults.

Once a player who couldn’t control her emotions, she has now actively worked on improving her mental strength, including working with a psychologist, and has become one of the most consistent competitors on the WTA Tour.

Her season has been marred by injuries – she battled stomach problems at the French Open before missing Wimbledon with a shoulder problem – but after beating Pegula in the final of the Cincinnati Open last month, Sabalenka has returned to winning ways with a consecutive title.

“I wish she had given me at least one set. We had a tough match in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and she is one of the best in the world,” Pegula said.

“She’s super strong and doesn’t give you anything, she can take the racket out of your hand.”

With her victory in New York, Sabalenka becomes the first player since Angelique Kerber in 2016 to win both Grand Slam hard court tournaments in the same year.