NEW YORK, Sep 08 (V7N) — Aryna Sabalenka triumphed at the US Open, securing her third Grand Slam title of the year with a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Jessica Pegula. This win marks her first US Open crown, adding to her back-to-back Australian Open titles.

Sabalenka, currently ranked world number two, dedicated the victory to her family, who have supported her through a year marked by personal loss. The Belarusian has faced considerable grief, including the recent death of her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, an NHL star who passed away in March. Her father, Sergiy, also died from meningitis five years ago.

"After losing my father, my goal has always been to honor our family name in tennis history," Sabalenka, 26, said. "Seeing my name on the trophy fills me with pride. My family never gave up on me and did everything to support my dream."

In the final, Sabalenka unleashed her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes to overwhelm Pegula. With 40 winners and 36 aces, Sabalenka's performance featured the third-fastest serve of the tournament at 191.5 km/h (119 mph).

"I have to go for it," Sabalenka commented on her strategy. "I know that aggressive play is my only path to success."

Pegula's loss came during a tumultuous year for the former world number three, who battled burnout and a rib injury earlier in the season. Despite setbacks, Pegula rebounded with a title in Berlin and a strong showing in the hardcourt season, concluding with a runner-up finish in Cincinnati.

Pegula reflected on her journey: "I've faced tough opponents, often the eventual champions. While I didn’t expect to perform so well during the hardcourt swing, I managed to turn things around and gain confidence."

Despite the defeat, Pegula remains optimistic, drawing strength from her resilience and recent successes.

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