Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula 7-5 7-5 to win US Open title
It is a third Grand Slam singles title for world number two Sabalenka, who lost in final last year
The Belarusian successfully defended her Australian Open title in January
Sabalenka is the first woman since 2016 to win both hard-court major titles in the same year
American Pegula was competing in first major singles final
*Sabalenka 5-2 Pegula
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesIt's becoming intimidating.
Jessica Pegula has to find a way to unsettle the rhythm down the other end, slow it down.
*Sabalenka 5-2 Pegula
A fourth ace of the match gets Jessica Pegula in front at 30-15.
That's one way to ensure Aryna Sabalenka can't pull off those audacious shots!
*Sabalenka 5-2 Pegula
Aryna Sabalenka is looking so loose out there now.
She sweeps away a backhand and Jessica Pegula is left rooted to the spot.
0-15.
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Dennis: This is absolutely ruthless aggression from Aryna Sabalenka. Simply too good out there!
Sabalenka 5-2 Pegula*
Image source, Getty ImagesA third ace of the match gets the hold for Aryna Sabalenka.
Sabalenka is one game away from taking the opening set.
Sabalenka 4-2 Pegula*
Jessica Pegula gets back to deuce but then accepts her fate as she tees Aryna Sabalenka up for the simplest of overheads at the net.
The Belarusian makes no mistake, firing powerfully into the corner for advantage.
Sabalenka 4-2 Pegula*
Aryna Sabalenka read the angles so well.
She steps up to the net for a lovely cross-court volley and Jessica Pegula can't return.
Advantage to the world number two.
Sabalenka 4-2 Pegula*
Jessica Pegula gets herself back into the game, though, as Aryna Sabalenka's backhand has too much on it.
Sabalenka 4-2 Pegula*
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka never panics, she backs herself, she stays very calm and she just works her way to get herself back on track and still keep hitting out and not missing.
She's playing some extremely solid, aggressive tennis.
Sabalenka 4-2 Pegula*
Aryna Sabalenka is dominating at the net.
Another drop shot sets her up for a winner. 15-0.
Jessica Pegula is looking a little one dimensional as she sticks to the baseline.
*Sabalenka 4-2 Pegula
Aryna Sabalenka only needs one attempt to take it.
Jessica Pegula fires long.
A huge moment in this opening set.
*Sabalenka 3-2 Pegula
As Russell mentioned, the aggression levels are high from both players and especially Aryna Sabalenka in this game.
She races up to the net again and slams a forehand winner to earn two break points.
*Sabalenka 3-2 Pegula
Aryna Sabalenka strides towards the net and executes a deft drop shot.
Great footwork from Sabalenka to lead 0-15.
Sabalenka 3-2 Pegula*
Russell Fuller
Tennis correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka will have been a little bit taken aback by how aggressively Jessica Pegula started this match.
There's no suggestion that these two are feeling each other out or are tentative at the start of a Grand Slam final. They are going for it.
Sabalenka 3-2 Pegula*
Aryna Sabalenka gets the hold as Jessica Pegula's forehand strays long.
Sabalenka 2-2 Pegula*
We're starting to see the full catalogue of shots now from the world number two.
Aryna Sabalenka is turning up the aggression and smashes in an overhead.
40-30.
Sabalenka 2-2 Pegula*
A lovely bit of disguise from Aryna Sabalenka as she steps up to the net and then whips a forehand into the corner - sending Jessica Pegula in the opposite direction.
The Belarusian leads 30-15.
*Sabalenka 2-2 Pegula
Image source, Getty ImagesJessica Pegula goes long from the baseline.
This is already looking very interesting.
*Sabalenka 1-2 Pegula
Shot!
Aryna Sabalenka with the cross-court forehand gets us to deuce.
And now Sabalenka has a chance to get this set back on serve.
*Sabalenka 1-2 Pegula
Aryna Sabalenka will be looking to hit back immediately.
A positive start as she leads 0-30.
But a second ace of the match gets Jessica Pegula on the board.
