Aryna Sabalenka wins US Open, defeating American Jessica Pegula in final

Aryna Sabalenka is the queen of the hard court.

No. 2 seed Sabalenka defeated No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in the U.S. Open women’s final on Saturday in New York City to secure her first U.S. Open title and her third career major overall, all on the hard court. It was a moment of redemption for Sabalenka, who was the runner-up of last year's U.S. Open.

“I’m speechless right now because so many times I thought I was so close to getting a U.S. Open title," Sabalenka said after her win. "It’s always been a dream of mine and finally I got this beautiful trophy and it means a lot."

The Belarusian dropped to the court on Arthur Ashe Stadium after winning championship point against the American Pegula, who was competing in her first career Grand Slam final. Sabalenka's 2024 U.S. Open title joins her back-to-back Australian Open wins (2023, 2024).

"I’m super proud of myself," added Sabalenka, who will take home $3.6 million in prize money. "I never say that, but I’m proud of myself and my team."

Sabalenka looked like she was going to run away with the first set. After dropping her serve, Sablenka won five games straight to take a 5-2 lead. Sabalenka had the opportunity to close out the first set on serve, but her service game faltered and a double fault and number of unforced errors led to Pegula breaking, 5-4. Pegula tied it up 5-5 after holding her serve, but Sabalenka jumped back in front 6-5 after a 14-point service game. Sabalenka went on to take the first set, 7-5.

It was a moment of déjà vu. Sabalenka had a one set lead over American Coco Gauff in last year's U.S. Open final, before she gave up two straight sets and the championship. The Belarusian wasn't going to let that happen this time around.

Sabalenka carried her momentum into the second set and quickly went up 3-0, but Pegula came back and won five consecutive games to take the lead 5-3. Sabalenka answered back with a break of her own to tie it up at 5-5. She easily held serve to go up 6-5 and broke Pegula again for the U.S. Open title.

"In that second set, I honestly was just praying... I was praying on getting this win," Sabalenka said. She turned to Pegula and said her time is coming: "I know how tough it is to lose in the finals, but you showed some amazing tennis. I’m more than sure that one day you are going to get one."

Pegula will pocket $1.8 million as the runner-up.

Aryna Sabalenka's path to US Open championship

Tournament's No. 2 seed

• 1st round: Defeated Priscilla Hon 6-3, 6-3

• 2nd round: Defeated Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 6-1

• 3rd round: Defeated (29) Ekaterina Alexandrova 2-6, 6-1, 6-2

• 4th round: Defeated (33) Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4

• Quarterfinals: Defeated (7) Qinwen Zheng 6-1, 6-2

• Semifinals: Defeated (13) Emma Navarro 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)

• Final: Defeated (6) Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US Open: Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula in women's final