"I may have wanted Serena instead of Aryna today" - Pegula has high praise for Sabalenka following Cincinnati Open final loss

American tennis star Jessica Pegula fell just shy of winning her second straight WTA 1000 title this week in Cincinnati, and jokingly blamed her loss of her opponent Aryna Sabalenka channeling the spirit of WTA legend Serena Williams.

Pegula, coming off a successful defense of her WTA 1000 title in Montreal last week, made it to her second straight final. However, she was stopped by some impressive play from the big-hitting Belarusian, who prevailed with a 6-3 7-5 victory.

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Sabalenka displayed power reminiscent of the former World No.1

After breezing past Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, Sabalenka looked unstoppable as she headed into the showdown with Pegula. The two-time defending Australian Open champion hit 10 aces, while winning a stunning 91% of points behind her first serve to overpower Pegula in Monday's final.

Nonetheless, Pegula appeared to be in good spirits after the match and lauded Sabalenka's aggressive and decisive play.

"Congratulations to Aryna," began Pegula. "Funny you (the interviewer) said Aryna and I thought he said Serena. It felt like Serena today, the you she was serving a little bit. I don't know, I may have wanted Serena instead of Aryna today."

Pegula would go on to thank her team and the fans for coming out to support them. With the US Open barely a week away, the World No.6 will hope to ride her wave of momentum into the final Grand Slam of the season.