Pegula confident against Sabalenka in US Open women’s final

Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula will meet in the final of the women’s US Open on Saturday afternoon in New York, with the Belarusian a heavy favourite to win.

Tennis bookmakers have Sabalenka at $1.36 to claim her third Grand Slam title.

Pegula, who is competing in a major final for the first time, is at long odds of $3.25 to cause an upset of the world No.2.

The American is still confident that she has the game to beat Sabalenka, however.

“I think I know that I can have a game that can possibly frustrate her,” Pegula declared in her press conference after beating Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the US Open semi-finals.

“Obviously she’s, you know, a really great hard court player, if not one of the best in the world, but I think I’m also a really good hard court player.

“Cincinnati, she served unbelievable, and I felt like I still had chances in that match.

“So hopefully she doesn’t serve that good Saturday. Maybe a little bit less would be nice.”

Sabalenka defeated Pegula just three weeks ago in the final of the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati.

In that match, Sabalenka won 31 of 34 points when she landed her first serve, which she did 67% of the time.

“I feel like in the past I just have to be aggressive, I have to get her moving, serve smart, and try and put some pressure on her serve,” Pegula continued.

“You know, play my game. Which is kind of what I do already. I try to do those things.

“Play within myself, pick my spots. Aggressive, but not overdo it.

“Hopefully I’m able to execute that, and if there’s something in the match that maybe is working or not working, then I can figure those things out.

“I’m just going to try and play my game Saturday really.”

Sabalenka prepared for a battle as bookmaker favourite

Despite being the heavy bookmaker favourite, Sabalenka is not getting ahead of herself against Pegula.

The American beat her less than a year ago at the WTA Finals, and Sabalenka is aware of how dangerous she can be.

“She’s playing her best tennis, I would say, and feels like she’s back on track,” said Sabalenka on Thursday in New York.

“We had a lot of great battles in the past, really difficult, tight matches.

“Even though I closed the match [in Cincinnati] in two sets, still it wasn’t that easy.

“It’s going to be another great battle against her.”

Sabalenka lost in the final of the US Open this time last year, and is seeking a Grand Slam outside of Australia for the first time on Saturday.

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