Aryna Sabalenka qualifies for inaugural WTA Finals in Riyadh en route to maiden US Open title

World No. 2, Aryna Sabalenka, is set to make her fourth appearance at the year-ending event.

Aryna Sabalenka popped the champagne in the locker room after winning her second Grand Slam title of the season and her first Flushing Meadows win. While Jessica Pegula will have to be content as runner-up and with a smaller paycheck, she can gain solace from moving up the WTA rankings.Pegula rose three spots to find herself in the top three for the first time since October 2022 as the new World No. #3, matching her career high position. She nudged the previous occupant, Coco Gauff, down to No. #6 in the latest WTA rankings.

Sabalenka remains the World No. #2 but has closed the gap with top-ranked Iga Swiatek, thanks to the Polish player’s quarter-final exit to finalist Jessica Pegula.

The Belarusian had another reason to celebrate — she will be eyeing the opportunity to become the first from the women’s Tour to win the year-ending WTA Finals that will be held in Riyadh for the first time.

Sabalenka clinched the qualification for the year-ending event with a convincing 6-3, 7-6(2) win over Emma Navarro to advance to the US Open 2024 final. In the title round, she denied Jessica Pegula a maiden Grand Slam with a 7-5, 7-5 win in one hour and 53 minutes. Sabalenka is following in the footsteps of countrywoman Victoria Azarenka, who won three US Open titles (2012, 2013, and 2020).

The World No. #2 is back in the saddle as she chases down No. #1 player Iga Swiatek in the battle for the top position. The competition intensifies with four WTA 500 events and two WTA 1000 events remaining in the calendar to be played before Riyadh. A maximum of 4000 points are up for grabs across the six events. 

The Belarusian tigress – she has a tattoo of the animal on her inner left forearm – dismantled Pegula’s game with six aces and 40 winners. She has scored 205 winners over the fortnight, averaging 29 per match. It was the second consecutive final between the two women since the Cincinnati Open final. That face-off, too, ended in defeat for Pegula with a 6-3, 7-5 loss mirroring the more recent US Open result.  

Sabalenka has ended her Grand Slam campaign with a double helping. Sabalenka defended her Australian Open title in January earlier this year. She has an 18-1 record at Grand Slams in 2024 despite not playing at Wimbledon.

Also Read: US Open: Top five youngest players to win women’s singles title in Open Era ft. Martina Hingis, Emma Raducanu & more

It was second time lucky for Sabalenka, who was playing her second final in a row at Flushing Meadows. Last season, she lost to Coco Gauff in three sets. Facing another American in the form of Jessica Pegula in 2024, she offered drinks on the house to shore up some support. Sabalenka has moved ahead to 6-2 in their career head-to-head after the win.

The powerful Belarusian, whose serves routinely touch 193 km/h (120 mph), generates pace and accuracy with her forehand. During her 2024 stay in New York, her average forehand speed clocked 129km/h (80 mph), faster than the current ‘Big Three.’ Carlos Alcaraz clocked 127 km/h (79 mph), Jannik Sinner 126 km/h (78 mph) and Novak Djokovic 122 km/h (76 mph).

Sabalenka dominated the fortnight, dropping only one set during her title run. She lost the opening set in the third round to Ekaterina Alexandrova but bounced back to defeat the Russian  2-6, 6-1, 6-2.

If Sabalenka brought the firepower, a room full of celebs among the audience would lend their star power to the contest. The roll call started with Billie Jean King, without whom the championship weekend would be incomplete. Stan Smith, Andy Roddick, Tracy Austin, and Maria Sharapova were the other former tennis stars gracing the event. F1 star Lewis Hamilton was also spotted.

Federer turned up to watch Sabalenka play Emma Navarro in the semi-finals, leading to the second seed going into fangirl mode. On catching a glimpse of the Swiss legend on the big screen, she clarified her intention to play “a little better” and showcase her skills so that he enjoys watching her play.

From the entertainment world, the likes of Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Hugh Jackman, Alicia Keys, Alec Baldwin and Elizabeth Banks floated around the venue all through the fortnight.

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