{
  "id": 6676212,
  "title": "Two-time defending champion Sabalenka powers past Pegula into US Open final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/two-time-defending-champion-sabalenka-powers-past-pegula-into-us-open-6676212",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T01:08:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/racquet-sports/2026/09/1530236/two-time-defending-champion-sabalenka-powers-past-pegula-us"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New York - Top seed Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the US Open final after a commanding 7-5, 6-2 victory over American third seed Jessica Pegula on Thursday. The Belarusian tennis star, aiming for her third consecutive US Open title, will face either second seed Elena Rybakina or fourth seed Coco Gauff, who will advance from the other semi-final.\n\nSabalenka showcased her powerful groundstrokes and dominant service game throughout the match, which included seven aces and 29 winners. The 28-year-old expressed her elation, stating, \"I was so desperate to win. I wanted it so badly.\"\n\nBoth players displayed strong play in the first set, with Sabalenka taking an early lead at 6-5. Pegula struggled in the second set, dropping to 0-40 after a series of heavy groundstrokes from her opponent. Sabalenka capitalized on this momentum, breaking Pegula's serve in the third game of the set. The rest of the match proceeded without interruption until Pegula's final error, resulting in the loss of match point.",
  "summary": "NEW YORK: Top seed Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course for a third consecutive US Open crown on Thursday, storming into the final with a straight sets demolition of American third seed Jessica Pegula.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Davies sinks world champion Wu at English Open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/davies-sinks-world-champion-wu-at-english-open",
        "published": "2026-09-10T22:44:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Davies sinks world champion Wu at English Open",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/davies-sinks-world-champion-wu-at-english-open",
        "published": "2026-09-11T00:03:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Two-time defending champion Sabalenka powers past Pegula into US Open final",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/two-time-defending-champion-sabalenka-powers-past-pegula-into-us-open-6683654",
        "published": "2026-09-11T01:10:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}