Image source, Getty Images

Aryna Sabalenka has only just left court on Arthur Ashe and it doesn't look like she'll be letting go of that US Open trophy for a while.

A hard fought win but a well deserved one for the Belarusian who ends the year with two hard court Grand Slam titles under her belt after also enjoying success at the Australian Open in January.

It was always going to be a tall order for American Jessica Pegula, making her debut in the final of the Grand Slam event, but she made one of the top hard court players on the circuit work extremely hard.

You can read the full report of how the final played out here.

We're not quite done with the US Open just yet.

There is still the men's final to come tomorrow when world number one Jannik Sinner will take on American Taylor Fritz.

Make sure you come back to join us for live text coverage of that clash.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

It feels like Aryna Sabalenka has got that inner confidence and belief.

She has added more to her game and become very interesting.

She really is going to challenge Iga Swiatek for that world number one [ranking].

Then it becomes an interesting conversation about Wimbledon next year because Swiatek hates the grass, she doesn't play well on the grass.

If Sabalenka adds Wimbledon to her US Open title and the Australian Open, that's a pretty amazing CV.

Ramaya.R: Amazing fight from Pegula but in the end the most consistent hard court player in the women’s game won it. Got to admire Sabalenka’s mental resilience to defeat a dogged opponent and a deafening crowd.

More from US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka on her emotions after winning the tournament: "Everything I'm thinking, I remember all those tough losses in the past here and it's going to sound easy but never give up on your dream and just keep trying, keep working hard.

"If you're really working hard sacrificing everything for your dream, you're going to get it one day. I'm just super proud of myself. I never say that but I'm super proud of myself, I'm super proud of my team that no matter what, which situation we were facing this season and in the past, we were able to go through it and get all those beautiful trophies."

On what the support of her team means to her: "That's everything, let's be honest without them it wouldn't be me and I wouldn't exist and as I always say without me you guys wouldn't exist too so you're welcome!

"No, no, I love you guys. Your support is everything and you're my family and I cannot imagine my tennis life and my personal life without you. I love you guys, I don't say it often but I will say it loud, thank you for being you."

On the crowd: "Honestly guys, thank you. I heard a lot of support. You were cheering for me on those good moments but of course I expected you to cheer for Jessica. I wouldn't be normal if you were to cheer for me.

"Thank you so much for all this support throughout this incredible two weeks. You guys are really amazing and you make this place very special and very enjoyable to play so thank you very much again, you guys are amazing."

Aryna Sabalenka is the first player to finish the season with the most women’s singles Grand Slam wins (18 in 2024, level with Jasmine Paolini) for consecutive years since Serena Williams in 2015-2016.

Image source, Getty Images

US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka speaking after a straight set victory against Jessica Pegula: "Oh my God, I'm speechless right now. So many times I thought I was so close to get the US Open title, it's always been a dream of mine and finally I got this beautiful trophy.

"It means a lot, it was a really difficult couple of weeks."

On Jessica Pegula: "Jessica, I know how tough it was in the finals but you are showing some amazing tennis and I'm more than sure that you are going to get one [Grand Slam], I mean not one, maybe more but let's start from one Grand Slam.

"Congratulations on a great summer and you're a amazing player and in that second set honestly I was really praying for getting this win and not giving you one set. It means a lot, I'm literally speechless right now."

Image source, Getty Images

That was some effort from Jessica Pegula tonight but she just came up against one of the best on the circuit.

Pegula looked to be crumbling after falling a set and a break down while facing break point.

The American stuck to her task, though, and ensured Aryna Sabalenka would have to fight for the win.

A first-ever Grand Slam final appearance for the New Yorker and on the evidence of the last two weeks, it might not be the last time we see the 30-year-old in a showpiece event.

MrHigginsMultiSports: I don't think I've seen many players male or female that simply go for it like Sabalenka. Every shot seems to be a big one going for the line. Deserved US Open Champion.

Speaking after losing the US Open final, Jessica Pegula said: "It has been an incredible month for me.

"I had a tough start to the year but managed to turn it around. I didn't expect to be standing here and I'm grateful for the last few months of tennis and some incredible matches."

On the difficult of facing Aryna Sabalenka: "I wish she would have at least let me get one set. We had a tough match in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and she's one of the best in the world.

"She's super powerful and isn't going to give you anything, she can take the racquet out of your hand.

"I'm just glad I was able to stay in there and keep taking opportunities."

On the support she has received over the last two weeks: "Thank you to everyone in my box for the support you always give me but especially over the past few weeks.

"I also have lots of friends of family scattered around [Arthur Ashe] tonight, I don't know where they are, but thanks for coming.

"It's great to have so much support at my home Grand Slam."

David Law
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

If you look at the surfaces on which they've won their titles, Iga Swiatek has been awesome on clay, she still looks pretty unstoppable at the French Open.

There are two Grand Slams on a hard court. Sabalenka has won there of the last four and frankly she probably should have won last year's US Open as well.

She might dominate to some degree over the next couple of years.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Jessica Pegula got into her first Grand Slam final and very nearly took it into a third set here.

She gave this crowd their money's worth. What a fantastic final we have just witnessed.

The right player got the title in the end but my goodness she had to work hard for it.

Aryna Sabalenka started 2024 with victory at the Australian Open and ends it with the US Open title now added to her CV.

Sabalenka is the fifth player in the Open era to win two women’s singles Grand Slam titles on hard court in the same season after Steffi Graf (1988 and 1989), Monica Seles (1991 and 1992), Martina Hingis (1997) and Angelique Kerber (2016).

Jessica Pegula may be the home player tonight but Aryna Sabalenka has no shortage of supporters and well wishers out there.

She's getting so many fist bumps as she makes her way back down to the court.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

I think the crowd will be happy for Aryna Sabalenka as well, she is pretty emotional.

It's hard not to like her, she has got a big personality, a massive smile, she is very charming and very engaging.

The tennis from her is spectacular.

The heartbreak of 2023 when Aryna Sabalenka lost in three sets against American Coco Gauff is no more.

Sabalenka walks up the stairs and along the path in the stand at Arthur Ashe to find her coaching team.

Here come the tears.

Jessica Pegula hits long.

Aryna Sabalenka has championship point.

30-40.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

This match has been incredibly intense and dramatic, it's been awesome.

It's one thing to be able to hit that many balls back-to-back with that kind of rhythm, timing, pace and power but also to have the athletic ability to keep up with this match.

Aryna Sabalenka has plenty of tricks.

She whips a cross-court forehand winner.

15-15.