US Open: Sabalenka beats Pegula to clinch women’s singles title
No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka captured her third Grand Slam singles title, and her first in New York City, defeating American Jessica Pegula, 7-5, 7-5 to win the US Open title.
Tennis veteran Serena Williams retired from the final of the Rogers Cup owing to her back injury implying that Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu lifted the cup.
The US Tennis legend was spotted crying after she was forced to retire as she suffered back spasms. In a moment which defined sportsmanship, her opponent, 19-year-old Andreescu comforted her after a heartbreaking result for Williams.
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The match had lasted only 19 minutes when she had to retire and even the first set could not be completed.
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“I’m sorry I couldn’t do it today, I tried,” said Williams.
“It’s been a tough year, but we’ll keep going,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion added.
Andreescu, who had won her first WTA title playing at the Indian Wells earlier in the year, became the first Canadian to lift the Rogers Cup women’s singles victory since 1969.
“Serena, you made me cry. I know how it is to pull out of tournaments, it’s not easy,” Andreescu said
“This wasn’t the way I expected to win. You are truly a champion. I’ve watched you win so many times, you are truly a champion on and off the court.
“I’m speechless right now. This has been a dream come true.”
The only other time when Williams had retired in a single final came at the Rogers Cup in 2000. Coincidentally, it was the year when her opponent in the 2019 final, Andreescu, was born.
Williams is yet to win a title after she returned to tennis in 2018 following the birth of her daughter.
Williams had reached Wimbledon final earlier in the year where she lost to Simona Halep. She will now look to end her trophy drought.
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