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US Open: Sabalenka Lands Her Third Grand Slam - In Pics

Aryna Sabalenka left the U.S. Open in tears 12 months ago as the runner-up. She exited in the semifinals each of the two years before that, other losses that were difficult to digest. On Saturday, Sabalenka was in a joking mood after winning her first championship at Flushing Meadows and the third Grand Slam title of her career. Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed, got past No. 6 Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a rollicking final under a closed retractable roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, displaying her typical power while sprinkling in some variation to add this triumph to those at the Australian Open each of the past two seasons.

US Open Tennis: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula Photo: AP/Frank Franklin II

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, kisses the trophy after winning the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Jessica Pegula, of the United States in New York.

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US Open Tennis: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka
US Open Tennis: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka Photo: AP/Seth Wenig

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, and Jessica Pegula, of the United States, pose for a photo after Sabalenka won the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula
US Open: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula Photo: AP/Julia Nikhinson

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, kicks the ball after double faulting against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open 2024: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula
US Open 2024: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula Photo: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Jessica Pegula, of the United States,returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open 2024: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka
US Open 2024: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka Photo: AP/Frank Franklin II

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula
Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula Photo: AP/Julia Nikhinson

Jessica Pegula, of the United States, returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka
Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka photo: AP/Seth Wenig

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns a shot to Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis 2024: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula
US Open Tennis 2024: Aryna Sabalenka vs Jessica Pegula Photo: AP/Seth Wenig

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, can't catch up with a shot from Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis 2024: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka
US Open Tennis 2024: Jessica Pegula vs Aryna Sabalenka Photo: AP/Julia Nikhinson

Jessica Pegula, of the United States, returns a shot to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.

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US Open Tennis Championships 2024
US Open Tennis Championships 2024 Photo: AP/Frank Franklin II

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts against Jessica Pegula, of the United States, during the women's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York.