Aryna Sabalenka becomes first woman since Serena Williams to reach consecutive US Open finals

Aryna Sabalenka had lost to Coco Gauff in the final of US Open 2023.

The US Open 2024 is set for the grand finale as the women finalists have been confirmed. Aryna Sabalenka has made history by becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to reach back-to-back finals at the US Open. She had reached the finals in 2023 at Flushing Meadows while losing to Coco Gauff but this time Sabalenka could get hold of the silverware.

Sabalenka defeated crowd favourite Emma Navarro in the semi-finals as the fans lost out the chance to see two American players in the final. They still have their hopes pinned on Jessica Pegula who will be facing the Belarusian player in the final. While it is Pegula’s first grand slam final, it will be Sabalenka’s fourth summit clash.

The world no #2 will also be facing an American player for the second straight year at New York. She will be hoping to crush the American dream this time after a painful defeat in the 2023 season. Sabalenka had won the opening set against Gauff but failed to hold on to the momentum in the next two sets in the 2023 final at US Open.

Also Read: Aryna Sabalenka becomes first since Serena Williams to reach four straight US Open quarterfinals

Sabalenka had defeated American player Madison Keys in the semi-finals of US Open in 2023. The trend continued in the 2024 season as she defeated Navarro. In the finals, Pegula and all the American fans will hope that the curse on Sabalenka stays intact.

When did Serena Williams reach back-to-back finals at the US Open?

Serena Williams had reached successive finals at New York in 2018 and 2019. She had lost to Naomi Osaka in the final of US Open 2018. Williams lost in straight sets and in 2019 she faced Canadian player Bianca Andreescu. The former world no #1 again lost in straight sets.

The US Open has not been the ideal grand slam where players have successfully defended their titles. Even legends like Serena have faltered at the Arthur Ashe stadium. The US Open 2024 will hopefully see Sabalenka cruising to victory and not suffer a similar heartbreak she faced in 2023. The crowd will cheer for Pegula as Sabalenka will have to use her resilience to overcome her rival.

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