US OPEN FINAL LIVE: ARYNA SABALENKA V JESSICA PEGULA RESULT AND REACTION FROM GRIPPING WOMEN’S FINAL

US Open final LIVE:

• Aryna Sabalenka wins US Open to claim third grand slam title
• Sabalenka defeats American Jessica Pegula 7-5 7-5 in wild US Open final
• SECOND SET! Sabalenka overturns Pegula momentum to win second set 7-5
• FIRST SET! Sabalenka withstands charging Pegula to win gripping first set 7-5
• Sixth seed Pegula was making her first grand slam appearance

Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to earn US Open redemption in gripping final

Aryna Sabalenka earned US Open redemption after she won the women’s title in New York.

The Belarusian suffered one of her darkest days when she lost last year’s final to Coco Gauff.

She threatened a repeat of that wobble with some nervy moments, but this was her time, beating Jessica Pegula 7-5 7-5.

It is her second grand slam title of the year, following victory in Australia, and third in total as she proved herself to be the best hard-court player in the world, with few able to match her power in these conditions.

Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to earn US Open redemption in gripping final

When is the US Open men’s final? Jannik Sinner vs Taylor Fritz start time and how to watch on TV

Join us again tomorrow night, when Taylor Fritz has the chance to end a 21-year wait for an American men’s US Open winner against World No 1 Jannik Sinner.

Fritz defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe in five sets to become the first man to reach the US Open final since Andy Roddick in 2006, and is now one win away from emulating Roddick’s 2003 victory.

Sinner, though, stands as the ultimate test, with the Italian winning his first grand slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year. He is on a 13-match winning run on hard courts at the majors.

When is Jannik Sinner vs Taylor Fritz in the US Open men’s final?

ARYNA SABALENKA WINS THE US OPEN!

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-5 Jessica Pegula

Passed over by Billie Jean King, Aryna Sabalenka gets her hands on the US Open trophy, as well as prize money of $3.6m. Not bad.

ARYNA SABALENKA WINS THE US OPEN!

And now for the new US Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka.

“I’m speechless right now. So many times... I thought I was so close to the US Open. It was always my dream. Finally I get this beautiful trophy. It’s been a tough two weeks.

“Jessica, I know how tough it is to lose in the finals. I’m more than sure you’re going to get more than one.

“In the second set, I was just praying.

“Right now, I’m thinking about those tough loses. Never give up and keep working for your dream. I’m super proud of myself and my team. No matter what, we were able to go through it and get all those beautiful trophies.”

ARYNA SABALENKA WINS THE US OPEN!

Stand by for the US Open women’s final trophy presentation, featuring Billie Jean King.

First, Jessica Pegula takes in the applause after a brilliant run to the US Open final, her first grand slam final.

Pegula: “It’s been an incredible month for me. I had a rough start to the year but I managed to turn it around - I really didn’t expect it. I’m grateful.

“I wish she would have let me have one set! We had a tough match in Cincinatti and she’s the best hard court player in the world. She’s super powerful and can take the racket out of your hand.

“I’m proud I was able to stay in it. I was happy I could fight back. It just wasn’t enough.”

ARYNA SABALENKA WINS THE US OPEN!

A final full of twists and turns.

First Set

Sabalenka 5-2 Pegula*

*Sabalenka 5-5 Pegula (BP)

Sabalenka 7-5 Pegula

Second Set

Sabalenka 7-5 3-0 Pegula* (BP)

*Sabalenka 7-5 3-5 Pegula

Sabalenka 7-5 7-5 Pegula

ARYNA SABALENKA WINS THE US OPEN!

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-5 Jessica Pegula

I thought there was a chance that last year’s US Open final defeat to Coco Gauff was going to repeat itself.

Sabalenka was 3-0 up in the second set, but then unravelled and was left facing 5-3 with Pegula on a roll and looking to take it into a third set.

But Sabalenka then won four games in a row, finding her best level of the match. Elite mentality, as well as ball striking in the biggest moments.

Great final.

ARYNA SABALENKA WINS THE US OPEN!

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-5 Jessica Pegula

Hugely emotional scenes as Sabalenka goes to her box and celebrates with her team. They are getting used to winning the biggest trophies. This is Sabalenka’s third grand slam title in two years, with the US Open adding to back-to-back Australian Opens.

She is the dominant force on the hard courts.

ARYNA SABALENKA WINS THE US OPEN!

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-5 Jessica Pegula

ARYNA SABALENKA WINS THE US OPEN!

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 7-5 Jessica Pegula

Sabalenka falls onto her back! She is a US Open champion and three-time grand slam winner!

Somehow, she turns around the momentum of that second set in a gripping US Open final. What a match.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka

Pegula makes a strong start but Sabalenka scorches a crosscourt forehand winner, splitting the first two point.

But that’s nothing in comparison to this next winner, a huge forehand bomb crosscourt. Two points away at 15-30.

Pegula goes long! Sabalenka will have TWO MATCH POINTS. Pegula hangs on to save the first, as Sabalenka nets.

Sabalenka goes on the attack... Pegula stretches... Sabalenka powers the overhead and Pegula goes long!

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka holds brilliantly, with a big serve down the middle. Pegula had a rueful look after a return miss against the Sabalenka second serve on 30-15.

Sabalenka was 3-0 up in this set, but how has she come back here from 4-5 down?

Pegula now has to hold to force the tiebreak and keep the match alive. And it feels as if she’s lost the momentum again.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-5 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!

Right, can Pegula close this out now she’s ahead? Sabalenka makes the perfect start as she wins a wild point, reaching a Pegula drop shot and then producing a stunning overhead to move 0-15 up.

And now Sabalenka finds the baseline on the return! Pegula needs to dig in again. But a wild backhand flies long. Sabalenka has upped it on the baseline.

0-40. And three break points. Pegula saves the first. And the second! Sabalenka almost pulled off another escape, but the backhand was pushed long.

30-40... WINNER Sabalenka! She plays her best game of the set and strikes back just when she needed to. Suddenly the momentum swings again!

Wild !

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-4 Aryna Sabalenka

Nerves are all over the place. But Sabalenka stops Pegula’s run at five games with a much needed hold, forcing the American to serve it out to take this US Open final into a decider.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 5-3 Aryna Sabalenka*

Pegula confidently strikes out into a 30-0 lead on serve, before Sabalenka’s 30th unforced error of the match gets her to 40-30.

Pegula, though, commits a double fault - and seems to say to her box that she thought she had a first serve? Weird.

Anyway, deuce. Sabalenka takes a swing and Pegula is relieved as it drops wide. Pegula finds a lovely angle on the backhand exchange crosscourt.

Sabalenka nets. The crowd goes wild.

FIVE games in a row for Pegula.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 4-3 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!

Remarkable. From 30-0 on the Sabalenka serve, Pegula digs in and edges forward to put away a crisp volley and get back to 30-30.

What a forehand from Pegula! Now it’s 30-40 and break point. This is inspired from Pegula. Bold return. Lovely switch to go for the slice. And Sabalenka nets!

Pegula wins her fourth game in a row to move a break up in the second set! Sabalenka can’t believe it. Pegula was an inch, literally, at 0-30 30-40, from going 5-7 0-4 down.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 3-3 Aryna Sabalenka*

Wild. What a turnaround, and the crowd feel it.

Back-to-back drop shots, a wonderful forehand winner steered into open court.

40-0.

But, suddenly, Sabalenka wins the next two points and it’s a very different game again. Longest rally of the match! A 20-shot epic, and Pegula blinks first.

Deuce: Sabalenka has the chance at the backhand pass, but fires wide.

Another break point, can Pegula get this? Sabalenka swings, but throws the return long!

Back level at 3-3! Mad.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 2-3 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!

Pegula needs something. Could this be it from Sabalenka? It’s a gift of a forehand miss on 15-30, thrown well long of the baeline.

And it brings up two break points; Sabalenka saves the first with another bold winner that just catches the line.

Second break point: Pegula finds a brilliant, deep return, and Sabalenka floats long! Somehow Pegula has struck back!

Sabalenka was a point away from 4-0 and now it’s 3-2!

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 1-3 Aryna Sabalenka*

Pegula is not sure what to do in the face of these Sabalenka’s attacks. The World No 2 finds another brilliant return winner to get a look at break point on 0-3.

It’s basically a match point, but Pegula hangs on in a tense baseline rally and then holds to get on the board in this set. She really needed that.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 0-3 Aryna Sabalenka

Now a love hold from Sabalenka.

Pegula needs to find a way to overturn the momentum. And fast.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 0-2 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!

Sabalenka finds an excellent combination to put the backhand winner down the line, and a miss from Pegula gives Sabalenka an early look at break point on 15-40.

Ah that’s tough. A double fault is not what Pegula needed. Sabalenka breaks and Pegula throws her racket away in frustration. That was cheap.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-7 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka with a quick hold to start the second set.

There were two long service games at the very end of the first: Pegula had break point against Sabalenka on 5-5, but Sabalenka held. Then Pegula saved four set points and then had game point to send it to a tiebreak, but Sabalenka came back to break.

Fine margins.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 Aryna Sabalenka*

There was not a lot in that first set and Pegula has plenty of reason to believe that she can come back into this after appearing to find some cracks in the World No 2’s game.

As expected, the match is being played on Sabalenka’s racket. She finished with 25 winners to 23 unforced errors, but served poorly overall.

That gave Pegula a chance, especially when she trailed 5-2.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-7 Aryna Sabalenka - Sabalenka wins first set!

This is Pegula’s longest service game... and her first double fault gives Sabalenka a fifth set point.

Surely this time as Sabalenka lines up the attack on the backhand return.

Yes, Sabalenka claims it at last! Pegula can hang on no longer, and nets down low on the backhand side.

What a set of tennis, as the clock ticks over an hour.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka

Pegula works the point wonderfully on deuce, with Sabalenka stuck on her forehand side. But then Pegula nets with the court open for the winner!

Third set point: Sabalenka can’t take advantage! Let off for Pegula, but Sabalenka resets wonderfully. She pulls Pegula in with the drop shot before flashing the forehand winner.

Set point number four: SAVED again! Pegula’s wide serve is returned into the net by Sabalenka. This is high, high drama.

Gutsy second serve from Pegula on deuce, and Sabalenka can’t keep it in play! Game point... somehow, Sabalenka wins it! She clips the baseline with a massive forehand, then finds perfect touch with the drop volley.

Deuce.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka fires an attack at the Pegula second serve, before the American lets a forehand droop into the net.

15-30. Sabalenka two points away.

Now only one! Pegula now nets on the backhand, after Sabalenka dials the return in.

Two set points on 15-40. Sabalenka and Pegula hit up and down the court, in the longest rally of the match! Finally, Sabalenka blinks on shot 19.

One more set point on 30-40. Sabalenka fires long on the return! Two set points saved.

Another deuce.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-6 Aryna Sabalenka

Fourth deuce. But a poor miss from Pegula on the rally down the middle of the court. Sabalenka, though, looks frustrated that she’s not closed this out already.

She’s done so now.

Big hold.

Huge pressure.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 5-5 Aryna Sabalenka

Suddenly we’re into tiebreak territory, which is not where I thought we were going when Sabalenka broke to lead 5-2.

Pegula paints the line with a crisp angled forehand winner, getting herself to 30-30. Double fault from Sabalenka! Her third of the match, and she whacks her racket off the court!

30-40, and break point: but Sabalenka survives with a brave backhand winner! She is putting everything on the line.

Deuce. Sabalenka wins a gutsy point, but then throws in another big double fault after going aggressive on the second serve!

Backhand winner crosscourt from Sabalenka! The margins are so fine here. Pegula replies with a backhand winner of her own down the line!

What a game this is! Back to deuce.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 5-5 Aryna Sabalenka*

Pegula is making sure she’s getting a high first-serve percentage and it’s paying off: the American is looking really strong behind her first serve now, and jumps to 40-0 as Sabalenka fires her latest error before changing her racket.

40-15, but Pegula misses on the forehand with the court wide open. Suddenly there’s tension again but Pegula finds depth and Sabalenka nets.

5-5! Three games in a row for Pegula.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 4-5 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!

Wow. Mark that game with a red pen.

A series of big errors from Sabalenka as she served for the set. Pegula managed just to hang in the rallies. She fights on after breaking back in this opening set, and raises her arms asking for more support!

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 4-5 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!

Huge hitting from Sabalenka, working Pegula from side to side and then powering through.

But incredible defence from Pegula on 15-15! Sabalenka had a drive volley but Pegula recovered to lift the defensive lob, and Sabalenka found the net!

15-30. Pegula finds the block return, but then nets on the backhand! She can’t afford misses like that, after working herself into the point.

30-30. Double fault from Sabalenka! Ooff.

Break point Pegula. Sabalenka shuts the door with a massive forehand winner from inside the baseline, but then nets on the forehand on deuce!

These are key moments now. Back to break point!

Sabalenka can’t find her first serve... Pegula digs out the return... Sabalenka misses on the forehand!

Pegula stays alive!

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 3-5 Aryna Sabalenka*

Pegula forces Sabalenka to serve it out with a strong hold. The American found her first serve there - now she needs to go big on the returns. Can Sabalenka do it?

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 2-5 Aryna Sabalenka

Quite an untidy game from Sabalenka, veering from hot to cold point to point as Pegula targets the second serve.

Pegula digs in to get to deuce, dragging Sabalenka to six minutes in the longest game of the set so far, but Sabalenka finds her first serve and holds with an ace.

Sabalenka has won just two of nine second serves so far, while Pegula winning 0/4 on hers. The Belarusian moves a game away from the set.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 2-4 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!

Wow. Brutal power from Sabalenka, right through the middle of the court to blast Pegula away. A big return is followed by a series of blows to get to 15-40 and two breaks points.

And Pegula concedes with a forehand that drifts long. Sabalenka breaks with her third game in a row and will now serve for a 5-2 lead.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 2-3 Aryna Sabalenka

Sabalenka responds to a double fault on 30-30 with her fastest serve of the tournament. Pegula fires wide on the forehand and the Belarusian edges ahead with the first set on serve after that early trade of breaks.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 2-2 Aryna Sabalenka* - Sabalenka breaks!

There are some vicious forehands from both players already, as Sabalenka lands a big forehand winner against the Pegula serve to get to 0-30.

Pegula conjures an ace out wide, before Sabalenka nets on the backhand. 30-30, and this time Pegula finds an excellent angle on the forehand!

In response, Sabalenka throws herself at the forehand winner crosscourt and erupts behind the baseline after getting to deuce.

A loose forehand from Pegula gives Sabalenka a look a break point. And Sabalenka takes it: almost a copy of the last game, with a brutal backhand return into Pegula’s feet.

All square.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 2-1 Aryna Sabalenka - Pegula breaks!

Monster return from Pegula on the forehand on 15-15, eventually winning the baseline rally. 15-30, and Pegula finds a return on a big Sabalenka serving, and hangs in the rally to force the miss on the forehand!

Now then. Two break points on 15-40.

WHAT A RETURN! A bomb from Pegula off the forehand side, aimed right at Sabalenka’s feet!

The early break goes to the American.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 1-1 Aryna Sabalenka*

Some crisp hitting early on from Pegula, who drops the first point on serve but then wins the next four to hold. Sabalenka would want a backhand slice back on 0-15, as it dropped into the bottom of the net.

It’s clear the crowd are fully behind Pegula tonight. Overwhelmingly so.

US Open final: *Jessica Pegula 0-1 Aryna Sabalenka

Pegula lands a stunning forehand winner on the opening point of the match, which is followed by a forehand miss from Sabalenka.

In previous years, Sabalenka might have felt the pressure on 0-30. Instead, she rattles off four big serves to take the hold without another rally.

The rain is pounding on the roof overhead. It’s really loud at court level.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula 0-0 Aryna Sabalenka*

The roof is closed on Arthur Ashe tonight - which is a good call as the heavens have just opened in Flushing Meadows!

It should be an electric atmosphere, especially if Pegula can really give this is a go. Sabalenka is the favourite, just as she was against Coco Gauff last year.

We know what that went: can Pegula pull off the same trick to keep the US Open in American hands? Sabalenka will serve to start.

*denotes next server

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

Pegula and Sabalenka skip through their pre-match tunnel interviews without revealing too much that they haven’t already said before tonight’s final.

And here we go! Both Pegula and Sabalenka walk out onto the biggest court in tennis wearing headphones - Pegula, ahead of her first grand slam final, seems to realise this is a moment she should remember, so lowers them around her neck before waving to the crowd.

James Keothavong is tonight’s chair umpire, as former US Open champion Kim Clijsters, who I think is joined by her eldest daughter, join in with the pre-match photo.

Clijsters, of course, returned to win the US Open after giving birth.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and US basketball star Steph Curry are among the sporting icons in the house tonight.

We’re almost ready to go.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

With Jessica Pegula and Taylor Fritz, this is the first time an American woman and man are both in the finals of the US Open since 2002. That was when Serena Williams and Pete Sampras were champions.

It could be a big US Open weekend.

There is going to be an opening ceremony before tonight’s US Open women’s final, which feels a bit unnecessary but there we are.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka ahead of playing her second US Open final in row, following defeat to Coco Gauff last year.

“I had really tough lessons here in the past, really as I think I had so many opportunities but I didn’t use them for different reasons. I wasn’t ready. Then I got emotional. Then I just couldn’t handle the crowd.

“So many times I felt like I just missed the opportunity, and every time I come back here I really enjoy being in New York.

“I enjoy these courts, I enjoy the crowd, I enjoy playing in this beautiful stadium in front of the crowd. I enjoy the city, the time on the court.

“Every time I come back here, I have this positive thinking, like, ‘Come on, maybe this time’.

“Every time I’m hoping that one day I’ll be able to hold that beautiful trophy.

“The tough losses never made me feel depressed or think of not coming back to the tournament.

“It’s only motivated me to come back and to try one more time, try harder and maybe, like, work harder on some things which maybe didn’t work in the past.

“I’m still hoping to hold that beautiful trophy.”

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

Jessica Pegula on what it would mean to win the US Open:

“It’s amazing. It’s a childhood dream. It’s what I wanted when I was a kid,” she said.

“It’s a lot of work, a lot of hard work put in. You couldn’t even imagine how much goes into it.

“It would mean the world to me to win, obviously. I’m just happy to be in a final, but obviously I come here to want to win the title.

“If you would have told me at the beginning of the year I’d be in the finals of the US Open, I would have laughed so hard, because that just was where my head was, was not thinking that I would be here.

“So to be able to overcome all those challenges and say that I get a chance at the title on Saturday is what we play for as players, let alone being able to do that in my home country here, in my home slam. It’s perfect, really.”

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

And here’s Jessica Pegula’s path to the US Open final. Afer losing her first six grand slam quarter-finals, she defeated Iga Swiatek before her comeback victory over Karoline Muchova. Like Sabalenka, Pegula has lost just one set and has only played one tiebreak.

R1: vs Shelby Rogers 6-4 6-3

R2: vs Sofia Kenin 7-6 (4) 6-3

R3: vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3 6-3

R4: vs Diana Shnaider [18] 6-4 6-2

QFs: vs Iga Swiatek [1] 6-2 6-4

SFs: vs Karolina Muchova 1-6 6-4 6-2

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

As we get closer to the players walking out onto Arthur Ashe, the biggest stadium court in tennis, here’s how Aryna Sabalenka reached her second US Open final.

The second seed has dropped just one set so far, and has played just one tiebreak.

R1: vs Priscilla Hon 6-3 6-3

R2: vs Lucia Bronzetti 6-3 6-1

R3: vs Ekaterina Alexandrova [29] 2-6 6-1 6-2

R4: vs Elise Mertens [33] 6-2 6-4

QFs: vs Qinwen Zheng [7] 6-1 6-2

SFs: vs Emma Navarro [13] 6-3 7-6 (2)

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

Records on the line

If Sabalenka wins: First player to win Australian Open and US Open titles in same year since Angelique Kerber (2016)

First player to win US Open after losing the final the previous year since Justine Henin (2007)

Only second player since Serena Williams to win two grand slams in the same season - after Iga Swiatek won French Open and US Open in 2022.

If Pegula wins: First player to beat World No 1 and World No 2 on way to winning US Open title since Maria Sharapova (2006)

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

The head-to-head is firmly in Sabalenka’s favour: she has won five of her seven meetings against Pegula, including in straight sets in last month’s Cincinatti Open final.

“She served unbelievable, and I felt like I still had chances in that match,” Pegula said. “So hopefully she doesn’t serve that good Saturday. Maybe a little bit less would be nice.

“But I think I know that I can have a game that can possibly frustrate her.”

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka has established herself as the dominant force in the women’s game on hard courts, reaching her second US Open final in a row while also winning back-to-back Australian Opens. At the grand slams, she has won 26 of her last 27 matches on hard surfaces.

However, that one defeat come in last year’s US Open final to Coco Gauff - where the occasion of playing an American in the final got the better of her. Sabalenka was a set up and closing in on the title before her game unravelled and Gauff took advantage.

“Last year it was very tough experience, very tough lesson,” Sabalenka said this week.

“I wasn’t ready. Then I got emotional. Then I just couldn’t handle the crowd.”

However, the World No 2 was untroubled by American Emma Navarro in the semi-finals, 6-3 7-6.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

Pegula reached the US Open final by defeating World No 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals and then producing an incredible comeback against Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals.

Muchova won seven games in a row to lead by a set and break, but Pegula rallied back to claim a 1-6 6-4 6-2 victory.

“It comes down to really small moments that flip momentum, I came out really flat, she was playing unbelievable, she mae me look like a beginner,” Pegula said.

“I wanted to burst into tears, it was embarrassing. She was destroying me, I was able to find a way, get some adrenalin and find my legs and then I started to play how I wanted to play.

“It took a while but I don’t know how I turned that around.”

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

Pegula did not crack the top 100 of the WTA rankings until her seventh year on the Tour. Once she did, she progressed to World No 3 and has stayed in the top-10 ever since, despite struggling with injuries at the start of the season. She has reached her first grand slam final at the age of 30, after losing her first six appearances in quarter-finals.

“I hope I can be an inspiration to other players who feel like they are stuck or they are not getting better, that you can always find a way to get better and improve,” she said.

“There’s definitely moments where I didn’t want to play tennis, I didn’t know whether I wanted to do it anymore. You definitely hit those types of low moments.

"I have definitely had several of those, but I think in the end I always would kind of snap back and be, like, ‘OK, what am I talking about?’ I would always kind of flip the script a little bit, and I have always been good at doing that. I think that’s why I’ve always been able to come back from different challenges even better than before.

"Honestly, I’ve always felt like, not that it was never going to happen, I almost think the opposite. I always felt like, you know what, ‘You’ll figure it out eventually.’ That’s always something I’ve always told myself, I’ll figure it out one of these times.

"I think that’s just kind of maybe my quiet kind of confidence to myself that I feel like I always have."

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

Pegula plays in her first grand slam final against Aryna Sabalenka. She will aim to keep the US Open trophy in American hands after Coco Gauff’s victory last year, which also came against Sabalenka.

The Belarusian will start as the clear favourite. In New York, she has continued her remarkable consistency at the hard court grand slams, having won the last two Australian Open titles, and now reaching the last two US Open finals.

US Open final: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka

“It can happen quickly,” Jessica Pegula reflected as she reached the first grand slam final of her career at the US Open. After finally ending her quarter-final curse, following six consecutive defeats at the last-eight of a major, Pegula immediately went one step better in the biggest match of her life.

The American had spent years pounding at the door of the majors without ever really convincing that she was capable of taking the next step.

Now, after pulling off a determined comeback win over Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals in New York, the 30-year-old stands on the brink of the biggest breakthrough of all in the US Open final.

How to watch

The US Open is being shown live on Sky Sports Tennis throughout the fortnight and both finals will be broadcast on the channel. Subscribers can stream the match online via the the Sky Sports Go app and website.

If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.

When is the US Open women’s final?

Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka will take to the court at 9pm BST (UK time) on Saturday 7 September in New York. The final will start at 4pm local time (ET).

Hello and welcome

Jessica Pegula faces Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final that will crown a new women’s champion in New York.

Pegula is looking to keep the title in American hands after Coco Gauff’s victory at Flushing Meadows last year.

Gauff’s win came against Sabalenka, but the Belarusian has underlined her status as the dominant hard-court player with another run to the US Open final.

Sabalenka, who has won the last two Australian Open titles, has experience on her side against the sixth-seed Pegula, who is through to her first grand slam final at the age of 30.

But Pegula, who defeated World No 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, will have the backing of the Arthur Ashe crowd in an intriguing final in New York.

Follow all the latest build-up, score updates and reaction from the US Open women’s final