US Open 2024: Preview and prediction for Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula final

Not unexpectedly, Aryna Sabalenka has made the final of the US Open for the second straight year. In 2023, she led by a set before dropping the next two to Coco Gauff. Gauff was playing the best tennis of her life, seemingly running down everything on her side of the court, and simply being a wall to her opponent. Sabalenka's foe in the 2024 US Open is also playing the best tennis of her life.

Jessica Pegula has been a consistent player on the WTA tour for years, but she never seemed capable of being a top-three player for a very long time. She has ranked as high as No. 3 before, but there was always a feeling she was just holding the spot while better players mature or come back from injury.

Not currently. Pegula is playing in top-three form. She changed her coach earlier this year and struggled for a bit with form and injury, but since June has played extremely well. That includes winning the Canadian Open in August and then finishing as a runner-up to Sabalenka at the Cincinnati Open. Sabalenka has more power than the American, but Pegula's pace on her forehand has long been underrated.

Preview and prediction for US Open final between Aryna Sabalenka versus Jessica Pegula

The two players have faced one another seven times. Sabalenka has won five of them, though Pegula defeated the Belarusian in straight sets at the WTA Finals last year. Prior to that, Pegula's last victory over Sabalenka came in 2020 in three sets at the Cincinnati Open.

This year's tournament should belong to Sabalenka, though. Her game excels on hard courts with her overpowering serve and power from both wings. If she doesn't get herself in trouble with an inconsistent serve, she should be able to win her third Grand Slam and defeat Pegula in three sets.

US Open women's final details:

• Location: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Queens, New York
• Match time: Sabalenka versus Pegula will start at 4 pm ET

There is a good chance that the women's final will be played under the retractable roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium as rain is expected all day. The closed roof should not favor either player, though.

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