Sabalenka has not tasted decision successful New York since losing the 2023 last to Gauff, but determination were doubts implicit her rubric defence pursuing a mediocre run-up to the tournament.
After a beardown commencement to the play that saw her triumph the 'Sunshine Double' astatine Indian Wells and Miami successful March, Sabalenka suffered a quarter-final decision astatine Roland Garros and a fourth-round exit astatine Wimbledon.
However, she has recovered her signifier again, dropping conscionable 1 acceptable en way to the final.
"I was ace desperate," Sabalenka said aft her triumph implicit Pegula.
"It feels for me, talking astir Grand Slams, similar a past propulsion of the season.
"I wanted it severely to spell to the finals, and of course, I privation to spell each the way."
In a tense opening archetypal set, Sabalenka bristled with vexation aboriginal connected arsenic unforced errors crept into her crippled portion Pegula settled rapidly and struck the shot cleanly.
But yet the four-time large singles victor recovered her bushed and, aft striking decisively astatine 6-5 to instrumentality the archetypal set, she cranked up the power.
Pegula looked helpless arsenic Sabelanka raced done the 2nd set, with the Belarusian pounding 29 winners to her 12.
The triumph sees Sabalenka interruption the Open epoch grounds for the astir Grand Slam hard-court finals successful a row, with the 28-year-old reaching each large last connected her favoured aboveground since the 2023 Australian Open.
For 32-year-old Pegula - the lone semi-finalist without a Grand Slam rubric - it is yet different US Open decision by long-time rival Sabalenka.
Sabalenka denied the 3rd effect a maiden large successful the 2024 final, portion she besides got the amended of her successful past year's semi-finals - though Pegula had won their astir caller gathering successful June's Berlin Open.
"I bash deliberation she astir apt would person beaten 99% of people," Pegula said.
"Probably the champion lucifer she's played this year."
English (US)·