Aryna Sabalenka plays a forehand during her match against Jessica Pegula of the United States during the Final Day of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 19, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Cincinnati: World number three Aryna Sabalenka downed sixth seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets to claim the 15th title of her career at the WTA Cincinnati Open on Monday.
The 26-year-old from Belarus clinched a 6-3, 7-5 victory for her second title of the season following her Australian Open triumph in Melbourne in January.
Sabalenka, who did not drop a set throughout the tournament, was in control for long periods against Pegula before wrapping up victory in 1hr 15min.
The two-time Grand Slam champion suffered a slight blip when serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set, allowing Pegula to break back to level.
But Sabalenka broke back immediately and then held serve to close out her win.
