Sabalenka survives Pegula storm to win US Open women's title

NEW YORK :Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka hoisted the trophy in New York at last after years of close calls, as she outmaneuvered American sixth seed Jessica Pegula 7-5 7-5 in the U.S. Open women's final on Saturday.

Sabalenka won her first title at Flushing Meadows a year after coming up short in the final. Twice before, she reached the semi-finals. On Saturday, she blocked out the wild cheers for the hometown favorite on Arthur Ashe Stadium to break Pegula in the final game.

"So many times I thought I was so close to get U.S. Open title. Finally, I get this beautiful trophy," said the second seed, who fought back from a breakdown in both sets to claim victory and fell to the court in her moment of triumph.

Pegula, 30, had waited a long time to reach her first major final and came to New York in fine form after winning in Toronto. But she could not match her opponent’s raw power despite the noisy backing of the New York crowd.

"To be standing here in my first Grand Slam final and then coming off such a hot summer, I mean I didn't expect it so I'm just really grateful for the last few weeks of tennis," said Pegula.

The roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium was closed due to heavy rain and the players traded breaks twice as they settled into the stormy affair in front of a celebrity-packed house.

Sabalenka held her serve through a four-deuce 11th game and fought through a spine-tingling 12th, mixing precision at the net with her usual power from the baseline before breaking her opponent on the fifth set point.

Pegula struggled with her rackets throughout the match, complaining to her coaches as she seemed unable to find the right tension on her strings, and it looked as though she would not put up a fight in the second set when Sabalenka