Pegula salutes Sabalenka and takes US Open defeat in stride

In a dominant performance, Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka edged out home favorite Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 7-5 and 6-2, to advance to the US Open final. The 23-year-old Sabalenka overcame initial struggles, but once she found her stride, she dominated the match. She now boasts 20 consecutive victories at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka will face either Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina or American fourth seed Coco Gauff in Saturday's championship match. Pegula, who has never won a Grand Slam title, continued her losing streak against Sabalenka, suffering her 22nd US Open defeat at the hands of the Belarusian. This victory puts Sabalenka one step closer to becoming the first player since Serena Williams to secure three consecutive US Open women's singles titles, a feat accomplished by only Williams and Chris Evert during the Open era.