Aryna Sabalenka suffered an emotional loss to an American in the US Open final last year, and that defeat stayed with her for a whole year.

It led her to stand on that same podium again this year.

A year after squandering a one-set lead in the final to Coco Gauff, No. 2 Sabalenka of Belarus defeated another American, No. 6 Jessica Pegula, 7-5, 7-5, to capture her first US Open title and third career major championship. Sabalenka hit six aces against four double faults and converted five of 13 break chances.

The game was played under the roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium due to pouring rain and in front of a star-studded crowd including Steph Curry, Courteney Cox, Andy Roddick, Tracy Austin and Billie Jean King.

Sabalenka lost just one set en route to the title, having lost in the semifinals in 2021 and 2022 and in the final in 2023.

Sabalenka improved to 6-2 against Pegula, including a straight-sets victory 18 days earlier in the final of the Cincinnati Open. She has won 12 matches in a row — all on hard courts — and is 27-1 in hard-court majors since the start of 2023.

Sabalenka wins $3.6 million and Pegula $1.8 million.

Pegula, the daughter of billionaire Bufllao Bills and Sabres owner Terry Pegula, reached the final by beating world number one Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the quarterfinals and then made an inspiring comeback on Thursday to beat Karolina Muchova in the semifinals.

She reached her first major semi-final – and then the final – after going 0-6 in her previous appearances in the quarter-finals of major tournaments.

But Sabalenka was simply too powerful and determined. Her average forehand speed of 80 mph is the fastest among men and women in the tournament, and her service speed averages 110 mph.

Sabalenka, who skipped the Olympics to focus on the hardcourt season, was undeterred during her run to the title. In her third-round match, Sabalenka had the latest start in US Open history at 12:08 a.m., but she still advanced in straight sets.

In the first set, Pegula got an early break, but Sabalenka took control from the baseline and used her serve to win four games in a row, good for a 5-2 lead.

Sabalenka served for the set at 5-3, but struggled and hit a deep forehand to bring the score back to 5-4.

Pegula served and held the first set at 5-6. Sabalenka won the first set with a touch backhand, which drew Pegula towards the net. However, the American hit the ball back into the net.

In the second set, Pegula made a double fault and fell behind 0-2, but Sabalenka extended her lead to 3-0.

The American complained to her box about stringing rackets, saying she couldn’t find one she liked. They told her to get back to work and worry about the task at hand.

Pegula came back to win five straight, 5-3 ahead, breaking Sabalenka twice.

Pegula served for the second set at 5-4, but fell behind 0-40. At 30-40, Sabalenka hit a forehand winner down the line for the break.

With Pegula serving to stay in the match at 5-6, the American hit a forehand long to give Sabalenka double match point at 15-40.

On the second match point, Sabalenka hit a forehand winner that sailed Pegula wide, then fell to the court before hugging Pegula at the net.