Tennis

US Open: Pegula fights back to set up final against Sabalenka

Home favourite Jessica Pegula staged a stunning comeback to set up an enticing US Open final against world number two Aryna Sabalenka.

American Pegula came back from a set, break and break point down to see off Karolina Muchova 1-6 6-4 6-2 and reach her first major singles final.

She will now face Sabalenka, who powered into the final for the second year in a row with a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) victory over American Emma Navarro 6-3 7-2.

The Belarusian is the first women’s player since the great Serena Williams in 2019 to reach back-to-back singles finals at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka will be greeted by a wall of noisy support for New York-born Pegula on Saturday – but she already has experience in that area, having jokingly admonished the crowd for cheering for Navarro.

“Well now you’re cheering for me, it’s a bit too late.

“It really means a lot and even though you guys were supporting her still I had goosebumps for you cheering,” Sabalenka said in her post-match interview.

Pegula had previously lost her past six major quarter-finals before beating world number one Iga Swiatek on Thursday, and she followed that up with a battling victory over Muchova.

“I came out flat but she was playing unbelievable, she made me look like a beginner.

“I was about to burst into tears because it was embarrassing, she was destroying me.

“I don’t know how I turned that around, honestly,” Pegula said.