Aryna Sabalenka Claims Cincinnati Title, Ends Pegula’s Streak

Aryna Sabalenka won her first title since the Australian Open in January by defeating Jessica Pegula in the Cincinnati Open final. The Belarusian secured a commanding 6-3, 7-5 victory in just 76 minutes, earning her 15th career title and sixth at the WTA 1,000 level. This victory marked a significant comeback for Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury.

In her courtside interview, Sabalenka expressed how much the trophy meant to her, especially after overcoming the fear of reinjury. She credited her team for helping her feel at her best, and she felt proud of how she managed her emotions throughout the tournament. Sabalenka dominated the first set, breaking Pegula in the fourth game and maintaining control.

Although she encountered a brief setback when serving for the title at 5-4 in the second set, Pegula broke back to level the score. However, Sabalenka quickly regained her composure, broke Pegula again, and successfully served out the match. She celebrated her win by blowing kisses to the crowd. The victory ended a nine-match winning streak for Pegula, who recently defended her Canadian Open title.

Aryna Sabalenka’s performance in Cincinnati also included a notable semi-final win over world number one Iga Swiatek, which highlights her strong form heading into the US Open. With this win, Sabalenka is set to replace Coco Gauff as the new world number two. The 26-year-old now focuses on the upcoming US Open, which begins on August 26, where she aims to build on her recent success and challenge for another Grand Slam title.