Sabalenka beats Pegula, claim maiden title in Cincinnati

Aryna Sabalenka became the fastest player to win 100th WTA 1000 matches since 2017 after clinching a maiden Cincinnati Open title on Sunday.

The 26-year-old Belarusian and World No.2 defeated close friend, Jessica Pegula in straight sets 6-3,7-5 on Sunday’s sunny weather in Ohio to win her first Cincinnati Open title and second title of the year since the Australian Open in February.

Sabalenka’s win ended Pegula’s nine-match winning streak, which began with the American’s title run at the National Bank Open last week.

“Speeches are definitely not my superpower but I’ll try my best. Thank you for a great match Jessica. I’m very happy to see you back at your top level. You did such a great job the last few weeks. A title and a final. That’s really an achievement. I want to congratulate you and your team on the incredible work you’ve done. As you said, I’m sure we’re gonna have many more battles in the future. Let’s just keep it up, right?,” Aryna Sabalenka says after beating Pegula in Cincinnati final.

With the victory over the American, Sabalenka claimed her 15th career title, sixth WTA 100th crown.

Aryna Sabalenka also became the third player to win the title at the Cincinnati Open without dropping a set, after Vera Zvonareva in 2006 and Ashleigh Barty in 2021.

After beating Pegula, Sabalenka registered her 100th win from 143 matches in WTA-1000 events, she is the fastest to 100 wins in such tournaments since Halep in 2017 who registered 100 wins from 141 matches in such tournaments.