Aryna Sabalenka served up a storm at the Cincinnati Open on Monday, powering past American star Jessica Pegula with a 6-3, 7-5 victory! 🎾✨
The Belarusian ace, a two-time Australian Open champ, was on fire 🔥, dropping only nine points on serve and smashing 10 aces. She shook off some late-second-set nerves to clinch her sixth WTA 1000 title in style.
Pegula, who had been riding high after keeping her Toronto title earlier this month, struggled to find her rhythm. Five double faults and a shaky serve brought her impressive nine-match winning streak to a halt. 😬
Sabalenka broke Pegula's serve in the fourth game when the American netted a forehand. Riding that momentum, she held serve to love in the next game and sealed the first set with an unreturnable serve. Boom! 💥
She didn't stop there. With powerful forehands blazing, Sabalenka grabbed another break at the start of the second set. Though a double fault and a couple of errors let Pegula snag a break point in the 10th game, Sabalenka quickly bounced back. 🙌
Breaking back immediately, she sealed the match with Pegula's final error, blowing kisses to the cheering crowd. 👋💕 With this win, Sabalenka is set to climb to number two in the rankings just ahead of the U.S. Open next week. Watch out, New York! 🗽
Reference(s):
Aryna Sabalenka overpowers Jessica Pegula to win Cincinnati Open
cgtn.com
