A Dominant Performance in Cincinnati
Aryna Sabalenka made a significant statement to her competitors, clinching a decisive 6-3, 7-5 victory over Jessica Pegula in the Cincinnati Open final. This win marked her 100th match victory in WTA 1000 events, underscoring her dominance in the sport.
A Milestone Achievement
Sabalenka’s triumph in Cincinnati not only added to her impressive career but also gave her a sixth title in WTA 1000 tournaments, standing just behind the four Grand Slams in prestige. The Belarusian star had missed Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury, making this win all the more significant as she overcame an early setback to emerge victorious.
The Path to Victory
During the match, Sabalenka built on an early break against Pegula, establishing a 4-1 lead in the first set, a margin she maintained to secure the set 6-3. While Pegula, buoyed by the home support, showed resilience by breaking Sabalenka in the 10th game of the second set to level at 5-5, Sabalenka quickly responded. She broke Pegula’s serve again and then served out the match.
Celebrating a Perfect Week
Sabalenka’s victory in Cincinnati marked her first title win since her back-to-back triumph at the Australian Open in January. Notably, she didn’t drop a set throughout the tournament. Reflecting on her win, Sabalenka expressed joy and relief, especially after recovering from her shoulder injury. “This trophy means a lot, it is a really big achievement, especially coming after injury, with this fear of getting injured again,” Sabalenka said.
This latest victory not only adds another title to her career but also reiterates her position as a formidable force in women’s tennis.
