U.S. Open: On the verge of her 2nd straight Title, Aryna Sabalenka is a force to be reckoned with

With three grand slam titles to her name, at age-27 Aryna Sabalenka stands to take her second-straight U.S. Open title this weekend in Flushing Meadows.

If she does, the Belarusian powerhouse will become the first woman since Serena Williams (who won three straight U.S. Open titles from 2012–2014) to defend a U.S. Open crown.

Sabalenka will play in the final Saturday night against either Naomi Osaka or Amanda Anisimova.

Nicknamed “The Tiger” for her ferocious shot-making, intensity, and emotional highs and lows, Sabalenka showed every bit of her trademark fight Saturday night facing No. 4 seed Jessica Pegula, the American crowd favorite.

Sabalenka clawed back from a set down to grind out a dramatic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory under the lights.

Her game is all about raw force — serves blasting up to 117 mph in the victory. She has a competitive edge that makes her the heir apparent to Ms. Williams and the face of women’s pro tennis.

The “Queen of the hard courts”, Sabalenka has appeared in every Grand Slam title match on a hard court since 2022.

Aryna keeps her title defense ALIVE 👑

Sabalenka prevails in a three-set showdown with Pegula to return to the US Open final! pic.twitter.com/jq8hepDUZ3

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2025

ESCÚCHENLA. RUGIR. pic.twitter.com/cuH5vCsSLo

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2025