Sabalenka powers past Pegula to claim Cincinnati title

0

Aryna Sabalenka ended Jessica Pegula‘s quest for a Toronto-Cincinnati double in emphatic fashion, snapping the American’s nine-match winning streak with a commanding 6-3 7-5 victory in the Cincinnati Open final.

Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 Cincinnati Open

The third-seeded Sabalenka dominated the first set, quickly securing a 4-1 lead and never facing a break point, while Pegula managed to win just 17% of her return points.

Sabalenka carried this momentum into the second set, breaking Pegula immediately and consolidating with a love hold. Just as it seemed Sabalenka was cruising to victory, Pegula mounted a comeback, leveling the set at 5-5. However, the American’s resurgence was brief, as the Belarusian quickly broke back and sealed the match in the next game.

Aryna Sabalenka bites her tennis racquet in Cincinnati

In her third WTA 1000 final of the season, Sabalenka ended a six-month title drought. At the Cincinnati Open, she secured straight-set victories against a series of formidable opponents, namely Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Elina Svitolina, Liudmila Samsonova, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek—whom she defeated in straight sets for the first time—and the in-form Pegula. This is Sabalenka’s 15th career title and first hard-court WTA 1000 title since 2020 Doha.

Sabalenka’s winning equipment in Cincinnati included the Nike Core Advantage Tank, Nike Women’s Core Advantage Short, and Wilson Blade 98 18×20 v9 tennis racquet. (photos: Jimmie48)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here