Jessica Pegula's bid for U.S. Open title falls short

New York (WGR Sports Radio 550) - After a whirlwind four days in which she knocked off the world No. 1 ranked female tennis player and advanced to her first-career U.S. Open final, Jessica Pegula's hopes of winning it all were dashed by the No. 2 ranked player Aryna Sabalenka.

Pegula was subdued by the Belarusian in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5, as the American-born 30-year-old came up short of winning her first tennis Major on home soil.

The first set was a set of runs. After Pegula jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the set, Sabalenka rattled off four-consecutive games won to jump out to a 5-2 advantage. Pegula then clawed her way back with three-straight wins of her own

However, she ultimately surrendered the final two games of the set to Sabalenka, falling 7-5 in the first set.

The second set was also defined by runs. Sabalenka sprang out to a 3-0 lead to start, but Pegula then turned five-consecutive games in her favor, taking a 5-3 lead in the set.

However, Sabalenka did not relinquish another game for the remainder of the match, ultimately winning the set 7-5 and securing her third Grand Slam title, and first U.S. Open title.

Sabalenka captures the 2024 U.S. Open title after falling short to Coco Gauff in last year's final at the tournament.

Entering the match, Sabalenka had been the only opponent to defeat Pegula in her previous 16 matches. The last matchup came at the finals of the Cincinnati Open last month, where Sabalenka won 6-3, 7-5.

Sabalenka has now won 12-straight matches, and improves her head-to-head record against Pegula to 6-2.

In her on-court interview following the match, Pegula was complimentary of her opponent.

"I wish she would have at least let me get one set," said Pegula, chuckling.

"She's been playing some amazing hard court tennis, and if not the best hard court player in the world, so I knew it was going to be challenging and tough."

Pegula was pleased with the fight she showed, despite the losing effort.

"I was happy I was able to fight back and give myself a chance, but in the end in the end it wasn't enough," Pegula said.