"I may have wanted Serena instead of Aryna today" - Pegula has high praise for Sabalenka following Cincinnati Open final loss
WTATuesday, 20 August 2024 at 02:30
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.
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- The guy that left Qinweng Zheng without a word of warning.MrAndreeva17-09-2024
- Done, looks good!
AceOfBase17-09-2024 - FYI: The term 'snub' is a much overused verb by writers of sensationalist rags. [SNUB: rebuff, ignore, or spurn disdainfully]. That is not the definition of what is going on with frequent withdrawals from tournaments.
mandoist16-09-2024 - No offence, Mr. Lloyd, but where have you been the past two years?? How long have you been a tennis fan? This 'article' may be informative for newbies or fair-weather tennis observers but the majority of fans know the root of the multiple issues within WTA. The #1 issue being the subject of health & well-being which has been (or has attempted to be) addressed with the WTA Elitist council members last season. WTA was extremely dismissive of players' concerns and opposed to such a meeting. Eventually giving-in due to publicity and allowed selective players only -- no rep's, no medical personnel, and no team members. The meeting was a farce as WTA soon after that released an even more hectic schedule... with mandatory tourneys! Guess they weren't taking notes?? BTW: There is a lot missing from this piece concerning "withdrawals". No writer has yet taken the jump to get behind the scenes and dig at the problems -- obvious organizational problems. IMO, the top two issues are WTA's lack of proper attention to health & well-being of its Money-Makers; and Financial Greed. Tip to Mr. Lloyd: there is no "snubbing" when these players withdraw. These women have to take such measures as withdrawing from a tourney, and occasional time-off from the circuit, to protect themselves -- because WTA refuses to take any measures at all (although not allowing matches until sunrise is a start). Surely you can do better than point fingers at players. The finger-pointing should be directed entirely at WTA (and ATP). Be a true journalist, Mr. Lloyd, and research them!!mandoist16-09-2024
- Uh-oh.... Now Raducanu is being forced to compete! Let's see who withdraws next... I wonder??mandoist15-09-2024
