The start of the second set was tougher for Pegula, with an early break putting Sabalenka 3-0 up. The Belarusian has been known in the past for running a little too hard and getting in her own head, but now she looked cool and confident, moving well around the court. But once again Pegula was not to be written off: with a shift in focus, pace and after cycling a few rackets, she made an astonishing comeback to win five games in a row. But it was not enough: Sabalenka, refusing to lose her second US Open final in a row, came through and won That set 7-5, too. As she grabbed the championship point, she fell to the hardcourt, her face covered in emotion, before sprinting to the stands to hug her team.

Sabalenka after earning a championship point.

Photo: Getty Images

“I knew it was going to be challenging and tough. She’s super strong,” Pegula said of her opponent after the match, as she stepped onto the court to accept her second-place award. “I’m glad I was able to bounce back and give myself a chance.” She went on to thank her team, including her two coaches, Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein, as well as friends and family who had come out for her home match.

“Oh my God, I’m speechless right now,” Sabalenka said when it was her turn to take the microphone and acknowledge the many US Opens she’s played in the past without making it to the end of the tournament. “I never say this, but I’m super proud of myself — and super proud of my team.” She concluded her remarks with a simple but effective message: “If you work really hard and sacrifice everything for your dream, one day you’ll get it.”