US Open: Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula in semi-final, inches closer to huge Serena Williams record | Tennis News

Aryna Sabalenka went one step closer in direction of efficiently defending her US Open title by defeating Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Thursday evening’s semifinal match.Sabalenka, seeded No. 1, is now one win away from reaching a milestone final achieved by Serena Williams, who received three consecutive titles at Flushing Meadows from 2012 to 2014.The championship match on Saturday will see Sabalenka face both No. 8 Amanda Anisimova or No. 23 Naomi Osaka.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!This semifinal proved extra aggressive than their earlier encounter in final yr’s last, the place Sabalenka claimed her third Grand Slam arduous court docket title in straight units.
“It was a really tough match — she played incredible tennis as always and I had to work really hard to get this win,” Sabalenka mentioned afterwards. “Just super happy to be back in the final and hopefully I can go all the way again,” she added.Sabalenka’s 2023 Grand Slam journey contains ending as runner-up to Madison Keys on the Australian Open and to Coco Gauff on the French Open. She additionally reached the Wimbledon semifinals earlier than dropping to Anisimova.The match concluded on Sabalenka’s third match level, following two unsuccessful makes an attempt. She celebrated the victory by leaning again, extending her arms, and letting out a scream.