Aryna Sabalenka is into her second-straight US Open final, having come from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula.
It was a remarkable clash between two of the sport’s top players, and a fitting contest for a spot in a Grand Slam final.
However, in the end, the determination and unbridled power of the Belarusian shone through, and she was not to be denied.
It was far from straightforward though, as the 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 scoreline will show.
In the end, it was the tiniest margins that won Aryna Sabalenka the match, with CoCo Vandeweghe now pointing out what she thought made all the difference.
The big difference between Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula in the US Open semi-final
Speaking live on ESPN in the immediate aftermath of this blockbuster semi-final, she sat beside Sloane Stephens to briefly offer their thoughts, swiftly moving on to the next semi-final of the night.
After all, there was little time between the conclusion of Sabalenka’s win and the commencement of Amanda Anisimova’s match against Naomi Osaka, leaving little time for analysis.
Alas, Vandeweghe still managed to state: “Oh, my gosh, I still haven’t recovered from not only Cliffy’s last match, but also just a wonderful tennis match that was played from both of those women. It was such high-quality tennis. Start to finish.”
Then asked what the biggest difference between Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula was, she continued: “I think it was the nerves.
“I think that was the biggest part. Sabalenka had to fight her way out, but I think it’s just knowing that she’s taken Jess to the limit and beaten her on the biggest stages. That was the difference-maker.”
Aryna Sabalenka so close to copying Serena Williams at the US Open
It might seem strange, but for whatever reason, the US Open has consistently been one of the more unpredictable majors in recent history, particularly on the women’s side.
After all, whether it be the hustle and bustle of the crowd or the general conditions of the courts, no woman has successfully defended her title since Serena Williams won it three times in a row from 2013 to 2015.
Now, Sabalenka is bidding to finally end that hoodoo, as she reaches the final again, the year after beating Pegula in the final.
It would be supremely fitting that such a dominant, powerful and inspirational figure should end this odd record at the US Open this year, and given how consistent she has been in all of the Grand Slams, it would be deserved.
