LIVE | Jessica Pegula vs. Aryna Sabalenka | Radio | 2024 US Open Final

but kind of just let it all sink over me and then go out there and try and play some good tennis you played Arena just a few weeks ago in a tough Final in Cincinnati what adjustments you need to make today to counter her powerful game H I mean I don't know sometimes there's not much you can do I felt like that in Cincy um she was serving really well but I think maybe focus on um you know my first serve percentage really staying up there and then just trying to do as much as I can on the return games have fun out there best of luck yeah thank you and now let's bring in last year's finalist the number two seed the winner of this year's Australian Open Arena through six matches you've only dropped one set can you describe how you are playing and the level of confidence that you have going into this year's final yeah I mean I definitely have a lot of belief that I can do a little bit better than I did last year and um I'm really happy with the level I played throughout the whole tournament and I really hope that I can keep the level even better you beat Jess in a tough Final in Cincinnati just three weeks ago what are the most challenging aspects of her game yeah she's playing some great tennis and um uh very aggressive flat deep balls and um really great serving so moving while so she's a challenging player to play and um I'm really looking forward for this battle good luck thank you Mary Joe Fernandez handling the interviews exactly appropriate questions coming into this final pugula is going to be introduced first followed by sabalan as they make their way both with headphones on through the tunnel and into the court here at Arthur Ash Stadium New York it's time to welcome the players for the women's singles Championship from the United States Jessica pigula [Applause] and Arena [Applause] saena well my good friend Blair Henley handling the introductions and I I want to note that Jess took off the headphones as soon as she walked out into the stadium she took off the headphones and she said it in the m in the interview that she was going to let the emotions wash over that looked like a little Tey and I don't blame her in the least it is so rare to have a breakthrough into your first Grand Slam final over the age of 30 it just doesn't happen very often and I can't imagine those emotions in that 60-second period there well it was interesting cuz as they both were walking through and they had the headphones on I was literally saying to myself I would like to take it out take take them off because I want to hear and I you know as soon as I hit that floor I want the energy to rush with me cuz I don't want it to come when I'm 5 minutes into the warmup James kobong is our chair umpire as the two women head out for the coin toss let's listen into this coin toss generation player from Rivervale New Jersey who plays at courtsense tennis Training Center please welcome 12-year-old Maya wolf Arena this is Maya Maya Arena Jessica Maya Jessica this is Kim CL there as well before we start can we have a photo all together facing this way and then this way please K and our daughter by the way that's what's amazing about this it's absolutely amazing I'm like did she and one more facing this way yeah yeah I think she was what 3 years old when she won the tournament last year yeah and one more photo just the players please this way please thank this way we need to talk about Kim cler shoes it's an athletic shoe with a heel on the back okay now we get to our coin toss here oh I've seen those okay ladies the same formula as your last matches any preference on the tow box red or white red white okay okay any questions Maya we've got head here anyone to call heads or tails head is called fantastic it is heads Jessica receive do match all right so Jessica Pula electing to receive to start here after winning the coin toss I do need to say it's a good thing we have the roof closed and Sophie be happy about that right now it looks exceedingly dark and ominous outside and it has started pouring here within the last 2 minutes so good decision to close that roof ahead of time so everybody knew exact what they were going to be getting into here today Zena yeah I mean I I was just it was so dark and it came so fast but um I I have to go back to clim kers out there with her daughter and you know just to think like this is like Jessica also has to feel that to have these Champion SAA as well to have a great Champion like her that um was the first mother in a while to come back and win this tournament correct that's that's right and I again I just go back to it the idea of passing on to that next Generation to bring her daughter out there is just truly remarkable I got a little teary eyed I was like did we say Jada yeah Sophie your thoughts on just what we heard there in the last couple of minutes and just the reaction specifically to Pula coming out her first time here in the final at the US Open well as you mentioned she took the uh headphones off and as you can hear she's getting introduced here Jessica pigula is getting a huge huge round of applause I mean the people and the sound and really I mean you if it's raining or pouring or there is even a hurricane outside you wouldn't hear it I can tell you that much I mean unbelievable electric atmosphere here billly Jing King first row with Alana Claus her wife and of course Kathy raldi and Mr Blackman who is uh in charge himself of uh men's tennis and the and Kathy raldi who's done so much for women's tennis and well about two or three rows up guess who Z it's your partner Katrina Adams we Lori mcneel there where is Lori Lorie's at home I already talked to her you well this is the the first time speaking of US Tennis it's the first time both a man and woman into the finals here since 02 mostly because of the men uh obviously it's been so long since we had a us men in this final really kind of shows about the leadership here over the last 15 20 years to start building more and more Champions I am so excited I mean I'm one of the those um old tennis players that you know just excited about the US Tennis coming back you know I was one of those that when we were around it was a bunch of you Americans all playing at the same time and we pushed each other and just to see that now right now it's just I'm on fire I love it because you know being around kids that want to play in junior development tenant and whatever they do have to see the people that are coming up and I hate to say it but when the men are doing really well that's just going to make that just puts the icing on the cake yeah there's no doubt and and we're seeing just this huge push too I mean listen all these celebrities are not coming you know just to watch Tennis this is a cool place to be well tennis is finally cool is okay uh I should point out if you are listening to us right now and you're on the grounds you can head inside of Armstrong right now because inside Armstrong they're actually having a viewing party uh Nick happy have people come in there and listen to them but Nick mccarville our our broadcast partner is in there right now hosting a viewing party and a Fan Experience inside Armstrong you can go grab a bean bag relax watch the tennis from inside Armstrong with your grounds pass a really good opportunity to really feel part of the vibe and and also stay dry I I think that's the best thing they possibly do right now and hopefully they will hear you and want to go in there I hope so as well well everybody enjoying this experience right now inside of Arthur rash Stadium but you can definitely see some nerves right now on the coaching faces in the St you know what's interesting just the coaching how it's all of a sudden they can coach now but the now you can see the matches sometimes change in the coaches box before it actually changes and it really does make an effect because like last night I noticed a big difference with Taylor Fritz's coach who is normally so um Mike Russell he's normally so calm and cool he sensed that something was going on and he was another person I'm like who is that up there but Taylor played off of it what was interesting and Taylor talked about it right afterwards he talked about the fact that it was more so just Mike Mike Russell telling him you're doing all of the right things you need to maintain that course uh and sometimes that's excellent coaching just to maintain that level because I have to me I have to say I was getting a little tired of coaching every second to a player I'm like can the player think for themselves and I don't like that part of it but yeah last night to kind of see how that made a big difference and I got I felt a little better about the coaching well I think we're ready warm-ups have finished looks like we're going to get a regrip job here from Jess oh yeah she's going to have it out and waiting for the next I'm like wait a minute you're in the final of this major and you you didn't regrip your record before you got in hello hello 101 hello the fact that she grips it herself sub I'm shocked so well you can hear this crowd is ready sabalenka in the daytime outfit from Nike it's pink and she's serving From The Far Side we're ready for play in the women's final toss goes up for sabalenka serve good Pula back in to sabalenka foring cross Pula up the line with the forehand sabalenka running back hand lands good Pula stepping in forehand the dece corners is a winner to start this women's final Pula to love 15 yeah I'm really liking the way just that first point how Jess has decided that she is not giving up any any inch she's going to need to stay close to that Baseline try to get that ball back over there very quickly so at love 15 I have a question for you about the balls we talked about that and how it might impact here once we are now indoors because of the roof being closed love 15 serf for SA lka good chip return short forehand sabalenka to dece Corner little bit off balance here are we going to see a pretty drastic difference Zena from right after a ball change and then towards the beginning of a ball change is it going to be more drastic than normal with these balls fluffing up do you think yeah yeah it'll be it won't it'll be drastic but it's not it'll be drastic more to the players than it will to us cuz they they will feel it would actually get a little heavier at love 30 here sabalenka serving Far Side serve good Pula forand into the net for 1530 that was a great serve there by sabinka she's probably going to use that serve down the middle of the Court into J body a little bit I would if I was her definitely you can even hear it yeah you can here just this hum in the crowd because of that roof being closed 1530 here for sabalenka serve T is an ace first of the day for what's it feel like Sophie Courtside right now in terms of just that Ambient sound it's very loud I mean to say the least but uh you know I think they're focusing right away in there and I mean just just Jessica is just reacting very well to it but very loud and we can hear the rain now serve out wide lober turn's going to miss wide gain points here for sabinka yeah that's a great serve sabinka has a very good wide serve she's worked very hard on consistency on her serve but her placement is underrated when she does get it in with a game point at 4030 serve T good return is into the net and out of that love 30 hole very quickly four straight points on the Trot opening hold for sabinka one left yeah that was a great job there by sabinka making sure that she wants to come out get a quick start it's very important right now for Jessica to just stay within herself try to get a good service game here first Point's very important on her serve and sopie sabalenka did not miss a first serve there six of six you're right and that's going to be very important I mean we can hear the really the sound of the rain is is what making the most noise right now yeah we're I I think those ponchos are going to be heavy sellers here today at the US Open love one Pula serving From The Far Side serve off the net and good it'll be a lent another first serve upcoming for Jess 30 years of age comes into this as the world number six live ranking has her at five serve Mrs long she wins the title today she will match her career high at number three in the world when the new rankings come out on Monday serve good sabalan a big backand off the Baseline and good now steps into a backand up the line running forand Pula sabalenka forand cross Pula forand middles into the net SL 15 yeah sabinka shows right there what she's going to to she's going to actually just keep stepping in trying to get Jessica to move just be a little off balance like you did there and love 15 moves pretty quick in between points does Pula plenty of time on the serve clock serve off the net and good again so it'll be another let and first serve it's talked at length about how much better she's moving of late and the confidence that comes from that serve good sabinka back into Pula back in slice that lands good sliced from Sabal Lenas into the bottom of the net 15 off that was a great change of P there by Pula Nice Slice she actually has a very deception slice because she starts like almost a two-and backing and she just comes out with the one hand but it's very firm and it stays very low at 15 all here for Pula serve T is an ace caught both lines there for 305 so an ace a piece here Jessica that's a great serup right down the T nice placement at 350 15 toss goes up much lower toss serve good sabalenka backand middle misses long game points for Pula right now neither one of them seem nervous at all they're they're going right at it with these game points Pula with that Aus kit purple black and some white serve good sabalenka chips the return just long it is one game all that's exactly what she would want Pula is actually running to her chair here not quite sure what she's doing she changing racket already well I guess it might be the grip that is uh just slippery already because she was about to regrip at the beginning of the match and didn't have time yet maybe she's going to regrip the other recet that she just put on her bag on the chover interesting and I imagine with the fact that the roof got closed and we found out about that about an hour and a half before the match started there might have been some adjustments with the tension as well with the strings you might have seen maybe one pound one players different things but definitely they would have you know have a couple rackets in their bag that they were adj to whatever needed to and and I'm sure that they knew just when we knew that the roof was going to be closed and they started just totally repairing their minds Ace to get us to 15 love serve Good Ship return L short sabalenka there drop shot Pula back in Cross and sabalenka can't come up with it that little adjustment there on the return from pulan it essentially Serv served as a drop shut there and really caught sabalenka off guard yeah pakula did a great job of just blocking that ball back but what she did was get up to the ball extremely quick knowing sabinka is not the best balier and she just kind of was hey lucky to put a racket on it this first serve trying to go out wide with her 15 all serve was Arina sabalenka 26 years of age will stay at world number two regardless of outcome here today gets a forehand goes cross with it Pula forand up the line sabalenka back in Cross Pula backhand slice sabalenka stepping in backand to a Pula back in middle sabalenka back in Cross Pula digs that out sabalenka again back in Cross this one's into the net and that crowd Roars it's it's 1530 yeah I'm really liking what's happening right now with Pula she seems like she has decided that she's going to hug that Baseline she's really preparing very quickly for those balls that are coming back and that ball came back just as hard as sabinka hit it to her so sabinka again just pausing here for a second waiting for the crowd to settle ready to go here 1530 serving from the near side serve T good chip return lands good sabinka back hand up the line running slice for in from Pula sabinka foring cross is wide and the first break chances of this match go to Jessica pugula yeah Jessica pugula had a awesome forehand there that she hit like a little crcket shot just chopped the heck out of that ball and that is the ball that sabinka does not like and she got an error off of that one I have no idea what you just said because of that crowd noise that's amazing 1540 serve up the t is wide my goodness it is absolutely Bonkers in there right now second serve up coming for sabalenka at 1540 serve good Pula for in Middle right off the Baseline draws an error Jessica Pula early break [Applause] 21 leads by two games to one Sophie what is it like in there in those moments yeah right before the break point right after look I have I had my headset on when when the when the break point came in and I was like looking next to me is Andrea petkovich and I looked at her I'm like what is going on here they are going to break the house I mean it is great Steven Curry is being shown on the screen right now so they're all app plotting and you know Jessica pigula just serving so well down the middle on that return that was the perfect play I mean she couldn't hit it that any better she's not regrouping a rocket so she's going to stay there Tina Fe on the screen I mean they're all here an winter who's wearing her black shade as usual also in the president box and we saw Stan Smith also in the front row of the president box everybody is here Mary Pierce Mary Pierce is here hello I mean everybody is here this is the place to be our our driving guy in the back Braxton is very excited right now they just showed Lewis Hamilton Le yes he I mean I it's actually amazing you know what I just thought about too that noise probably does not bother um Pula because of the bills and in football they have the noise control so you know how L loud things go so she's used to that do US Open do we have a noise do we know how no the barometer of just how loud it is I you know what these are the guys here in the back wow we need to get that the barometer of how loud it is in there and speaking of the Buffalo Bills really cool video that they posted on Instagram this morning with all of the Bills players saying that they're wishing J Pula luck some of them mispronounced uh seena's name but we're going to allow it it's it can be challenging for some two1 serve good sabalenka backhand middle Pula goes inside out forand sabalenka back in slice Pula drop shot going to be into the net just a little bit too much drive not a left enough Loft FL 15 that's a shot right there Pula can't be upset that she missed it of course she's probably a Perfection as most tenis players are but she's going to have to use that shot so just need to make the adjustment on that love 15 here from the near side wearing a white visor here today serve good sabinka backand Pula tracks that down Cross Court Pula again has to go back in this time middle sabinka forehand to a Pula forehand that's great depth from sabalenka drawing a forehand error out of Jess pulet love 30 you know and just recently they just played in what Cincinnati so both of them know you know one knows that they came out on top and the other one know that they lost so you're going to try to go and make those adjustments and you can actually see it right here in the beginning of this match love 34 Pula tosses up serve is good it's an ace second of the day keeping up with Arena sabalenka she said she was going to need to keep that surf percentage up so far seven of eight need to keep it up and out of the way easier said than done against the length of Arena sabalenka 1530 serve good into the body lob return lands good Pula resets for an inside out to a sabinka back in crosss into the net yeah Jessica's strategy is definitely working really well right now using that body sered and looking for something short and she took care of that short ball and a lot of traffic towards that back hand Wing keeping in the backhand to backhand trade right now as well 2-1 30 all first set serve good sabinka backhand middle back in from Pula to a sabalenka backand up the line running forehand Pula good sabalenka chip forehand misses long and that's talking about that increased movement to be able to get to that forehand and actually strike it well you could see it there in Pula to 4030 yeah pula's always had great balance to me but now she seems like she's getting off the mark like really quick and that forand shows and she has unbelievable balance which means there's going to be power coming behind that ball Pula serve up the T sabinka forand Pula has to roll a foran sabala foran cross there is the Roar from Marina sabalenka as we get to do and Sophie amak it it feels like we're already seeing that sabalenka look towards her team here it's been a little bit up and down from her oh she's worried trust me and and really the crowd is taking over so much for pigola that know it's tough to play in those conditions when pretty much Jo stadium is for Pula serve is good sabalenka for in Cross Pula has to roll that up the line to a back end from sabalenka Pula back in Cross sabalenka back in sliced through the middle Pula inside out forand got away from her unforced error there and sabalenka has a break chance yeah it's going to be interesting there something that we need to look forward to because sabinka is also trying to build her step up with the crowd and outward like she did on this last point but that can take a lot of energy out of you first break chance for sabalenka Pula serve just long see what sabalenka does with the return position she gets both feet on top of the Baseline here she's only been able to look at one second serve so far this one's good sabinka back in middle pigula has to dig out of backand that's great depth into the body from sabalenka drawing that air we're back level it's two all mike that's an understatement that was unbelievable ball that sink just hit down the middle of the court and Sophie talk about that response there from sabalenka to get that break right back how important that is well important that's pagola needs to put that first serve in but she's late on those forehand that she's been missing she needs to tell the ball take the ball earlier tell herself earlier can hear from sabalo who steps into a back end up the line to the dece corner lob from Pula Sabal overhead good into the ad corner for 15 love now that is not not what Jessica wants to start doing is to get sabinka had her on the run and that's where sabinka will actually just started pouncing on her if that starts happening and a really impressive bounce back there because again with the crowd as loud as they were if you just let that continue to build it's just really impressive this is her first serve out wide Pula will get both feet inside the Baseline here for this 15 love second serve sinko wiping some sweat from her chin now ready at 15 love second serve good Pula backand cross lands good sabalenka blocks up the line but misses long with her backand again great returning on a second serve this time from Pula it's 15 all yeah pula's coaches would have actually noticed how Navaro when she played her took advantage of some of those second Serv and really stepped inside of the court and really got that ball on the other side Jessica did a great job on that ball there at 15 all to all here first set of this women's singles final surf good up the te chip return land short sabalenka big forand into the dece corner that is a winner number five for her to go along with five unforced 3015 now there is absolutely nothing you can do Jessica did everything she could just to get that serve back but savinko was so far in the court and then she already has that scream and then you know and then that ball was just gone serve te into the net I believe I saw it was 80 M hour her forehand speed and as Sophie mentioned bigger than anybody else in this tournament man or woman second serve here for sabalenka into the net first of the double false and Mike that is something that we that Pula would have in her mind I'm sure her coach has told her start early start trying to attack that second server because she will produce some double FS if she starts feeling with some pressure that's right and we know it can break down over time form has certainly gotten better but it's still there and a lot of it is mental 30 all in this two all service game serve for sabalenka good block return short sabinka forand Inside Out lob from Pula sabinka overhead good this time to the dece corner and a gain point for sabinka sabinka that right there that transitioning going toward the net she definitely has improved that in my opinion since last year but another part of her game that she's improved is those overheads she is really going up on those overheads and just knocking them away with a game point here looking to take the lead back serve body lob return gets on the Baseline Pula goes backand cross sabalenka backhand middle run around four hand four Pula will miss wide sabalenka does knows back out in front 32 we are Midway through the first set of the women's singles final here on US Open radio presented by American Express [Music] [Music] [Music] and welcome back to the Championships women's finals today here at the US Open 2024 and uh we saw some ice coming uh to the chairs and that's telling about how humid the conditions are here in our thrash Stadium a lot of uh a lot more warmer I would say warmer than outside to say the least so we know those balls are going to start fluffing this would be the time where they do start to fluff up we are five games in two games away obviously from our first ball change pigula serving 23 gets a second serve to sabalenka goes through the middle now a four in Inside Out Pula backing up the line volley Seena Pula can't track it down love 50 yeah you know it's interesting sabica has just improved her voling so much better just the fact that she's coming up there but she's looking for an opportunity and Jessica did a great job of getting this backand back but Pula I'm sorry sabinka did a great job of voling off to the open court Pula here atla 15 serve up the t is an Ace and just to kind of put a button on it the humidity right now 85% the temperature is 72° air temperature but that feels like is into the 80s coming from Texas that humidity will definitely get you yeah so that's why that's why the ice came out exactly right 15 all serve good sabalenka big return off the Baseline and good drawing a forand error this return quality right now from sabala off the charts yeah he was definitely off the charts sabinka did a great job just getting all over that forehand big spot here 1530 Pula has faced a defit in all three service games so far serve good backhand sabalenka to a pigula backhand middle sabalenka backhand slice middle pigula goes forehand and cross sabalenka for and cross good depth once again now she has a forand Inside Out Kula throws up a lob sabalenka at the net big swing forehand into the dece corner Arena sabinka two break chances at 1540 sabinka once again just taking control of that entire point just having Jessica run from side to side but she is noticing when Jessica takes one hand off of that backand she is moving forward and looking for an opportunity to put the next ball away six appearances at the net so far for arena sabalenka break chance at 1540 and a miss first serve second serve for Jess pigula at 1540 23 serve good sabalenka back in middle pigula digs out of back end sabinka back in middle Pula backhand middle off the net and good now pigula runs around forehand inside in will miss long Arena sabalenka storming back now from a breakdown to a break lead at 42 yeah sabalan is done a great job of just hanging in there looking for her [Applause] opportunities definitely some nervous Applause from this crowd that was a little just barely yes let's go you can do it 4 be polite be polite yes exactly very demure serve is long second serve here for arena sabalenka takes a long deep breath for this second serve second serve is good hula run around for to a sabinka forand rolled up the line Pula backhand cross sabinka has to slice that through the middle Pula punch forand now has to slice a forehand with depth sabinka running drop shot Kula slaps a forehand and volley put away from Mar sabalenka for 15 love okay if you would have told me if I didn't watch the match the other day I realized that she has started to decide that she's going to change up the paces she's going to hit some Drop Shop talking about Sabal linga but she is coming in like she actually believes and knows what she doing what she does and it's really nice to see she's not out there just trying to bang it away she's trying to add something to her game and she's doing a great job right now and no doubt it comes from that loss last year where she realized that variety so incredibly key serve here at 15 love is into the net one of five so far on her second serve points here this second serve at 15 love good up the te chip returns sabalenka drop shot this one doesn't even get to the net Sophie your thoughts on those two Drop shots they were a little awkward on both of them but you like the variety I know I love that she's doing that because she's putting so much Pace on everything else around you know around the court the forehand the back end the servant the drop shot I mean everybody's backing off the Baseline so much against Sabal Lanka because of the power so it is a great play in a game yeah but I I was waiting for you Sophie you and Mike to tell me what you really thought about that drop shot cuz it not that drop shot was horrible you and I know that there's one thing I knew how to do was drop shotting oh yeah you had one that's why she plays pickle ball now I mean she's got those hands right dink dink dink Sophie is is is pretty darn good at pickle at least she tells me so I've SE Sophie play in houon played with Lori the whole thing we never played a tournament anyway back to the match 35 second serve up coming here for sabinka at 42 in the first set Pula inside the Baseline for the second serve second seres good Pula backhand cross talinka digs that out through the middle but misses long it's 30 all yeah this is a tough part right now for padulla she's got to just keep telling herself let's try to stay as close as she can really start digging in and try to go point to point if you win a point don't you know just clap move on if you lose a point it's even more you got to keep telling yourself stay in there stay in there you never know saena takes a look over at her opponent Pula to see the return position now ready 30 all serve out wide Pula Forin to sabalenka for up the line perfect serve plus one for arena sabalenka to grab a game point yeah sinko there just I mean there's absolutely nothing you can do great preparation there great off balance and it just hits the back of the line 10th winner already on the day for arena sabalenka with a gain Point serve good Pula backhand cross sabalenka backand up the line pushed it just a little bit wide dece now yeah Michel Le situations right now she did not convert that point when she needed to convert sabba link so she's still a little bit nervous Jessica's got to try her best with 40 all trying to get back into that make her play I would actually make her move as much as I can kind of hard when she's hitting 100 miles an hour correct yeah you have second serve but you have to be the one who in instigates it a little bit you have to impose yourself in the these situations big step forward here for Pula with a second serve to look at at Deuce from sabalenka near side serve good back in Pula middle sabalenka backand deep into the corner chip from Pula sabalenka inside out for him Pula just blocks it back sabalenka big backand in behind it volley from her Pula there forand cross into the Net G Point Arena sabalenka yeah that was a lot but once again tabala is doing the right move she's making the right moov she saw SL opportunity move forward hit a beautiful backhand crosscourt came in balii crosscourt and was ready it wasn't the best volley but she made it again pauses before starting her motion game point for sabalenka serve out wide is wide serve percentage dropping just a little bit from a RedHot start second serve for her and she's two of eight now on her second serve points serves good Pula back in BR sinka digs out of back in but it's into the net good depth that ball stayed flat and low back what I am loving though that was a second serve Pula actually did what she should have done the point before she stepped in so far took that ball off the rise and Sabika did not have a chance to react to that back end it's very easy to do up here but very hard to do out there correct dece now for arena sabalenka Deuce number two this 4-2 service game good serve gets a backhand goes cross with it Tracked Down by Pula with a slice sabalenka big for him lob from Pula very high very short just over the net put away easily by Arena sabalenka right on top of that net another game point for her yes sink is definitely like she stayed in there put the pressure on there and she's so comfortable now she gets those overheads she's just putting into the opposite corner and just enjoying even gave us a little fist pump yeah Pula just kind of stayed in that Deuce Corner let it happen there was not much that could be done game Point again serve ke good it's an ace for arena sabalenka and you heard from her as well third e of the day maintains that break lead 52 into ball change Sophie your thoughts there and again just trying to mix that power with that touch but that Roar is there for the tiger when she needs it yeah but the stats don't lie I mean if you look at the stats on second serve you'll understand why you know one is ahead right now it's just how they both deal with the second serve zero for four second serve. one for uh for uh Jessica and only what two or two of eight I think is or two of nine got two for sabalenka that's where this match you know lies really is uh trying to put that first serve in Jessica is going to have to do that and when the second Ser comes in as Billy Jin King is now showing on the the jumbo screen and I can tell you this is fire now from everybody people on actually on their feet Appling Billy Jen King absolutely fantastic and of course Kathy raldi in the president's box on our feet as well to applaud but yeah I'm think it's all going to be about that first Ser percentage for Jesse but the other thing is she has hit now Sabal Lanka the most which is not surprising the most amount of winners throughout the tournament but also throughout the year 486 winners Alto together but coming in this tournament and in this match 165 winner for 140 unforced I mean she's plus 25 I mean that's telling about how much more consistent she has been and right now she is plus three here in this match in this first set 12 winners with nine unforced Pula serving to stay in the set from the near side at 25 misses that first serve long another one of the differences and Sophie pointed out that second serve winning percentage as pigula serves through the middle chip return Pula forand cross sabinka big forehand cross with good depth now stepping into a backhand cross that's just unbeatable forand with dep backand with dep you can't beat it there's just nothing you can do about that other than Clap into a great shot I mean when someone is on a roll like this you just got to do what you can do on your side and but just clap and say good shot at love 15 serve good sabinka back in middle pigula back in Cross sabinka back in slices into the net but what I was going to say was pigula even on her first serve points and she's serving at 75% right now only winning about 55 57% of those first serve points which just goes to the quality of return right now from sabalenka getting things on her terms very quickly sabinka is just on fire right now and literally well you can Ace that's about it like Jessica just did right there I mean literally you just have to hope and be there when her level goes down that's all you can do I just want to make one point is that before that when she missed the back end slide she looked at her camp but she was so upset absolutely absolutely livid that she missed that back end slice in the net so nerves are there yeah 3015 here for pigula from the near side serve good sambal Lena backand middles into the net well I wanted to go back to what you said earlier you asked me our predictions and I told you scores I should have listened to you because and the reason why I'm I'm joking but I know but right now the prediction like sabinka just playing like crazy it's not much Jessica can really do right now right but she did just get the hold got a turn that bounced off the net and just trickled over put it away into the deu corner this crowd wants to see more here in this first set gets it to 53 but it is on the racket here she just mimicked uh Jessica just mimicked something about being too slow so I don't know if her Ball's too slow or she feels like she's a little slow but she definitely tell her her box a little too slow serve out wide chip return lands good sabinka four hand cross into the net love 15 that was a nice slow ball there exactly Zena that was a very very slow return and I mean she pretty much couldn't handle it I think the slice back in from Jess also worked earlier but I think she feels slow going forward especially oh okay so at love 15 serving From The Far Side is Arena sabinka the two seed serves up the T and long she just tapped the right quad earlier with a rocket sabalenka no oh Pula Jesse trying to get the quad moving second serve good pigula back in through the middle sabalenka forand cross pigula has to roll that back sabalenka big forand inside out into the ad corner for her 14th winner of the day 15 uh I just think that Jessica is literally going to have to take that first ball and get her moving from the beginning I don't think she can just take that ball and go right back down the middle cuz the next shot sabinka has her on the Move 15 all serve sabinka T just wide he missed a couple here in this potential closeout game second serve good Pula forand middle sabinka inside out forand behind it volley perfect to the de side love Pula sabalenka has to backtrack good reset forehand from sabalenka Pula back in the point forand to forand we go and sabalenka misses hers what defensive work there from the quote unquote slow Jessica paga it's 1530 yeah she's going to need a lot more of those points she actually got away with something there because sabinka was all set up for a beautiful to hit a volley forehand volley and she kind of put it back in the middle of the court and Jessica was able to reset off of that and end up hanging in there and won the point big spot here can Pula find something special 1530 here in this 5-3 service game Ser T good chip return lands good sabinka goes backand cross pigula goes backand cross sabinka backand roll to a pigula backand cross sabinka backand middle pigula has to roll through the middle sabinka forehand pugula goes backhand cross backhand cross from sabalenka pugula into the net with her backhand it's 30 off yeah that was a great footwork there by sabala just continuing to get her feet in the right position she was forcing Pula to be on the back of her heels and every point there 11 shot rally which is the longest of the day that's also the first unforced air on the backand side for Pula she'd been wanting to stay in those trades it's created seven unforced aors from the sabalenka backend to do this stage 30 all serve out wide is wide and anticipate as this match progresses you're going to hear more Applause in between the first and second serve of Arena sabalenka pulas again inside the Baseline for this return at 30 all second serve off the net and long double fault number two and a break chance for Pula in that particular second serve Jessica was so far inside the Baseline two was almost at this service line she made a big statement there and it paid off sabala coming up with the double fault nothing having 24,000 people clapping for your double pult nothing like it got an eye roll out of Arena no doubt serve T Good Ship return lands good sabinka big forehand and Jessica Pula can't track that one down what an angle to deuce and the irow produced a unbelievable serve there in that forehand she put everything in to it and once she hit it for a winner she took her fist and like yes back at you crowd four minutes into this game one of the longer games we've had serve T good Gula back in a sabinka for and into the net another break chance for the American Jessica's just got to keep staying in there even if she hits a great shot come back let it go cuz as we said before the crowd would ride and you're starting to see sabala get very irritated when she's paying too much attention to the crowd some erors are going to start flying no doubt about it so break point number two just one of two on the day sabalenka serve into the net crowd's going a little bit mhm so finally they quiet sabalenka starting her motion here break chance p second serve sabalenka good Pula back in middle sabinka big for in too big and P throws up her hand saying proud let's go I think we need to see a little bit more of that that's what I'm loving Jessica knows where she is and that was awesome she wants more she's there she's hanging in there wow Jessica Pula antagonizing this crowd to get louder and they respond she's responded as well we're back on surf late in the 1st here on US Open radio presented by American Express [Music] [Music] [Music] Mikan Zena Garrison Sophie amch joining you for this one I I found myself as we were approaching this match today I I was just thinking Jess is such a an internal person to see her getting this crowd animated that tells you me watching your face seeing her do that was priceless Mis return there from Arena sabalenka here for 15 love but it just goes to show she's cognizant of what's going on here and this is part of that match management component right knowing that it's clearly getting in her opponent's head using it to her Advantage 15 love serve T good chip return is not into the net 30 love that was a great serve right down the te had a little extra tail on it and Pula is looking like she's in a little bit of trouble Love From The Far Side right now serve net and long before that point was 20 of 25 first serve percentage 80% it's crazy good second serve good sabalenka foring cross Pula digs it out sabalenka foring cross again Pula forehand up the line to a sabalenka backhand that's nowhere close to the Baseline sabalenka is coming to get a new racket Sophie y she is surely uh thinking that this one is way too loose and the ball is uh leaving a racket way too soon for whatever reason well it is new bows just just well it was new balls two two two games away but uh yep and maybe trying to maybe uh break a little bit the rhythm of of Jesse Pula but you know earlier I was thinking you know how long is it going to take maybe for Pula to start putting her arms up to get the crow going well and the next thing she did put her arms up and it went crazyer 40 love game points serve out wide well long second second serve with sabalenka taking one giant step forward just behind the Baseline for this return serve good sabalenka backing cross Pula back in sabalenka goes backhand cross great angle oh my didn't have the pace but that angle and the heaviness of that backand really doing the work for a backhand winner that's another thing that I've noticed as she's worked on since last year being able to hit those angles with a little bit more Top Spin you even see her left hand kind of come over the side of the the of the other side of the racket trying to get a little bit more spin short forehand for pigula off the net and long that's bad luck very bad luck right here because the return was completely shanked from Sanka and uh unfortunately Pula hit the net but listen to that crowd listen to them and they quiet very quickly 4030 here sered net and long three straight missed serves for Jess pigula second serve good backhand sabinka middle pigula goes back in middle sabinka backand up the line is into the net we are level five all in the first that was a great shot sabinka actually hit a short ball and Jessica was all over driving it right down the middle of the Court well now the nerve certainly play a factor here sabalenka again asking for a little help James Kong asking the crowd to quiet at five all from the near side serve good pigula backhand middle sabalenka backhand cross she's pulled that wide she's getting more and more impatient here yes she is y this is the time where Jess can really make a difference any second serve you're going to see our attack it that was the ninth unforced error on the backand wing for sabalenka serve good Kula backand lands good sabinka backand up the line and let's go from here wow Pace right up the line for 15 off I still say that was a great shot great backand but that yell is going to take to much energy out of her to have to keep going you will not win that war with this crowd yeah it makes me think she has to do it in two because it's going to exhaust her when she does get to the third set which you did say earlier today might be the case great serve there by sabinka 305 now big up the T at 112 her biggest so far today 119 at 315 from the near side five all serve long and again you're hearing that scream over and over again on the serves right now serving 66% for the day but three of 13 on her seconds this second serve for sabalenka good Pula foran up the line caught the line there's a second serve Jessica Jessica was so far inside of the court that forand contact point was right on point there just ripping that forehand right back down her line she even got an eye for from sabinka on that one great shot big spot 30 all five all in the first serve well long now three of 14 on her second serve points that's 21% second serve for arena sabalenka double F and she slams her racket into the ground four times Pula has done a great job of also getting the crowd involved but taking advantage of those second serves and that caused this double fault right here two fisted racket smash there and she's going to use this racket she's staying with it 3040 break point Pula serve good backand pigula to a sabinka backand up the line caught the Baseline so impatient but it still pays off Deuce now it definitely stays pay off pays off but you just got to if you're Pula just keep making her play she can hit those winners let her have it but the pressure is getting more and more against sabinka right now serve a dece out wide good chip return is short sabinka Inside Out forehand calmly into the ad corner for a game point great Serve by sabinka she hit it out wide lot of spin on that serve and then she just came in and hit a beautiful forehand Cross Court but Mike what I'm noticing she had a great shot she's complaining still she is she's talking to herself quite a bit in between points right now 20th winner served returned into the ad Corner draws a backhand error out of sabalenka my goodness the level right now Deuce that was an awesome return there by Jessica pugula off that forehand just took off but it was more to the sideline that's what I want to see first point Jessica has first ball she's got to go a little bit more take her little wide get her running right away Miss first serve into the net second serve this time sabalenka not acknowledging that crowd this second serve from sabalenka good Pula backand middle sabalenka forand up the line sliced back short drop shot sabalenka Pula there pokes it up easy finish though for arena sabalenka and she tells the crowd to get behind her she's either tell him to get behind her or yeah I hit a great shot get behind me that was a great shot there by Sabika this is a part of a game she's worked on nice little drop saw that Pula was barely getting moved forward hit a beautiful forehand ble but that still so much energy that she's using game point for into the net with her serve I don't mind it though i' I'd rather her do that cuz that doesn't take as much as the screaming and the wor oh no that takes a lot does it yeah cuz she's doing this then you got to do this that's a lot okay game point here with this second serve for sabalenka serve just long she kicks the ball in frustration as it had come back she could have used putting those arms up like that to stay up on the serve you see what I mean Mike all right all right you're right you're right you always are Zena I don't know about always another Deuce after Double fault number four stepping out a little wide here with this serve goes up the T misses long well these second serves are now a real Adventure four of 17 with those four doubles second serve sabalenka at Deuce at five all tosses up serve good Pula forehand middle sabinka big forehand chipped back by by Pula sabinka back in Crosslands good Pula can't track it down that was just a good play there by sabinka that's the one thing I mean I love so many things about her game but I love how she just forgets about what didn't happen just goes on to the next point and she's worked very hard on that cuz that wasn't something that she's always done absolutely 22nd winner of a set 22nd along with 20 unforced errors game Point again for sabalan serve out wide is good Pula back into to a sabinka backand cross Pula backand snuck up the line little punch gets it done Deuce once again I mean I am speechless off the backand that jessicaa just hit right here seemed like she was going to be off balance but her balance was perect perfect held strong leg strong ball coming right off that backhand Down the Line 6 minutes 50 seconds on this game longest of the match so far dece number four serve into the net thank [Music] you two double faults in this game three in the last two games again pugula well inside the Baseline for this second serve which is good to Pula backand sabalenka back in middle Pula back in middle sabalenka digs for a backand Pula forehand misses long poorly timed unforced error her seventh of the set another game point for arena sabinka sabinka did a great job there of holding off like two very deep balls right down the middle of the court but she has excellent balance she did not waiver she hung in there produced the eror from justess with a game Point again sabalenka serve up the T chip returns short sabalenka backing up the line Pula throws up a lob sabalenka Retreats the lob misses long what survival instincts there for for arena sabalenka finds her way 7 Minutes Plus to a hold she leads six spot in the first set here on US Open radio presented by American Express [Music] [Music] [Music] well a lot of momentum certainly has been built by Jessica pigula over the last 15 20 minutes but she's still serving to stay in this set crowd settling back in a hush over this crowd as much as they are going to hush today 56 Miss return for arena sabalenka quickly to love yeah I was just sitting here thinking I wonder did just take the train today probably not probably not I I love the fact that she's so just humble yes she really is serve here at 15 love from the near side is long yeah great video of her taking the train in earlier in this tournament second serve good sabalenka forand crushed crushed into the dece corner for a winner and 15 all that was a great example right there of taking advantage of a short second serve Sav lingo just got there and just plumet that ball right back to the forehand just could only just run and look serve is long trying to go up the T sabba alenka again taking that big step right on top of the Baseline with that wide stance on the return second serve good sabalenka backhand middle Pula backand to a sabalenka forehand cross Pula there but a forehand from sabalenka to Pula forehand into the net yeah now Pula is actually kind of hitting her Racket and checking out her strings yeah she's talking to her her camp that you know obviously I mean if the racket is is is too tight it's going to have to switch quickly wait 1530 and and I think about just the fact that they moved indoors and just maybe just little string differences pigula goes forehand to a sabalenka back game cross pigula back game cross sabalenka back cross pigula backhand into the net Arena sabalenka two set points and pigula is coming to you Sophie yep she's going to switch rackets on the set point go to a looser strings I mean she has to I mean it's unfortunate that she's going on the on the set point but guess what it's never too late I would have chance right away after the point before we saw that happening yesterday actually in the men's match between the Draper and the and Center 1540 from the near side Pula serve T net two of 10 owner second serve points sabalenka set points second serve good sabalenka big backand to Pula forand sabalenka stepping into a backand now will'll have a forehand goes through the middle pigula forand sabalenka forand cross pigula forand roll to the middle sabinka big forand Inside Out dug out by pigula slice from sabalenka to Pula backand cross sabalenka backand middle Pula forand to a sabalenka backand cross G again digging out of backhand has to stretch for this backand that goes across sabalenka backhand up the line is missed long one set point saved one more to come I am just sitting here I mean the velocity of that ball coming off the racket of both of them was just simply amazing but it seemed like sabinka just kept trying to get to up it even more and that calls the error but great job there by Jessica Pula just holding her ground 19 shot rally longest of the day set point number two for sabalenka serve good sabalenka forehand missed well long drawing a laugh out of Sophie amok as we get to do sorry I mean this not not even close but how important again is the first serve right now for Jesse Pula serve the body make her play I mean this is so tight those last two games unbelievable what a way to come back she's getting so low Jessica on every single shot at d at 56 serve from Pula good chip return lands good Pula forehand up the line sabinka there slices a backhand short Pula oh no oh no she dumps a short backhand right into the net giving sabalenka a third set point that was probably the easiest backhand that she's had this entire match sabinka was actually not she wouldn't have been anywhere close to it and Jessica just she got so tight so tight on that back hand my word set point number three now for sabalenka Pula serve good sabinka back in to a Pula back in middle sabinka forehand into the net herself Deuce once again Sophie it just seems like the crowd is feeling what we're feeling it's just going back to back to back you don't really know what to expect everybody is on the edge of their seats at Deuce number two serf misses long he trying to go into the forehand body didn't quite get into the body second serve for Pula that's good sabalenka back in up the line Pula has to dig that out does well drop shot sabinka good Pula pops into the dece corner sabinka running for in yes absolutely sabalenka finding some joy and a fourth set point sabala's Skies off this backand look like she's going to hit another big backand and she comes out with the slice but the way she ran over and got that forehand hitting it down the line was just superb set point number four add out at 5-6 Pula near side serve good sabalenka back in up the line is into the net we go back to dece Jessica is doing everything possible and as Sophie said before notied she got that first serve in give yourself an opportunity she's got to up that serve right now doesn't have to be great nice placement but she needs some first serves at do serve it's going to be a let yeah there's a 40% success difference between first and second winning 67% of the first serve points just 25% of the seconds another first serve here at do serve good lob returns going to miss it's going to miss wide from sabalan with a point for the breaker great first serve there by Jessica nice down the te wasn't overly fast or anything but it was nicely placed 6 and a half minutes in this game game point Pula serve netted second serve for Pula good sabalenka backing up the line running for forand Pula sabalenka Inside Out forand track down by Pula sabinka forand middle Pula steps up to a forand sabinka forand cross Pula goes forand middle sabalenka backhand cross off the Baseline and good she hits a volley perfect drop volley from Marina sabalenka that combination of depth and then Gentle Touch Too Good Deuce I'm simply amazed pagul Pula did not take her wide on a couple of those short balls that she had there but sabinka just kept coming but she has been coming to the net to finish off points she has had such an improvement in that shot from last year it's amazing what she's done to her game 12 of 13 so far today serve Pula into the net 12 of 13 is pretty good meanwhile pula's two of eight at the net here so far second serve for Jess Pula off the net and long her first double of the day set point number five little hesitation there by Jessica he almost felt like the the it was about to be a double fault she just kind of was hesitating a little bit serve at out off the net and long she's just not reaching up right now three of 14 on her second serve points serve good sabalenka backhand cross Pula backhand slice is good drop shot from sabinka Pula there but she hits the backand into the net Arena sabalenka ONE set away from her first US Open title taking the first 75 come back for the second you're listening to us open radio presented by American Express [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] well we're back here on arth Rush tum and of course the loss of the first set for Jessica pigula but what an end of this set and what a comeback in this set really from pigula I think you know a few points that I mean players always say that you know those little crucial points make different and they could be one or two and it felt a little bit like this especially in that last game that Jessica Pula played saving those uh uh four set point the fifth one was crucial but you know here the Ambiance is that a lot of people are enjoying the match and I think that Jesse needs to get the crowd going even more I mean I know she's a shy person she did it a little bit during the match and at one point when she broke and she needs to get that crowd behind her and give her even more more power and mental power Ian that would help Sophie did you see what sabalenka did with her team right after she won the point well the you know a lot of a lot of celebration for sure but what I saw is you know our coach or trainer has this beautiful tiger on on his on his head cuz you know he's obviously doesn't have any hair and he has this tattoo uh on his hair on his head just like the same tattoo that she has herself on the left arm training uh coach Jason Stacy yeah that is that is pretty remarkable to get a I'm going assume it's a temporary T I have a feel well you never know what those people those guys cuz they are they are so fun and crazy that know who knows I know I wouldn't be getting tattoo for a player they not the way they go up and down you might be in today and gone tomorrow but one thing I noticed was sabalenka who's got it here to 30 love after an Ace and a free point she looked over at her team and just kind of rolled her fingles as if to say okay keep on going keep on rolling here yeah 30 love second serve good to a Pula backand sabalenka backand cross Pula goes back in slice to a sabalenka short forehand put away easily into the dece corner and gain points at 40 love on the other side sorry Zena on the other side I can tell you that Jessica pigula when she came to the chair was pretty disgusted with herself just kind of you know put a racket against the bench you know in a very disgusted way and that's uh that's understandable 40 love serve into the net leans and stretches her back here before this second serve does sabalenka tosses up second serve is good to a backhand Pula dug out by sabalenka forehand Pula goes cross slice there on the forehand sign from sabalenka a little chunky with the movement there 415 yeah but that's the ball Mike that I've been talking about for a while now that ball that comes that when she does get that chance it comes right in the middle go whyde take it to you got to take some chances is you can't just put a ball back in the middle of the court with nothing behind it especially against somebody who can hit with that kind of pace and precision right now serve is good short return sabinka backand into the net from 40 love to 4030 very quickly yes sinko does not like that she just missed a shot there Jessica's once again just got to keep hanging in there you never know players can give very hot very quick and and roll and then I can also miss that just as quick still with a game point her third sabalenka serve T chip return going to miss long sabalenka does get that hold and and Sophie listen that match last year the loss to Coco go you remember obviously that sabalenka had two break chances early wasn't able to convert and from there kind of got away from her what do you want to see from sabalenka specifically here early in this second set well obviously she did better right here you know just holding that is a big game and she wasn't serving she was actually trying to break the serve of kug go in the second set so it's a little bit different Dynamic but for her it's all going to be about consistency and keep really the momentum going and the emotion really quiet quiet emotion is hard to do sometimes for arena sabalenka misses her return here 15 love on the Pula serve that is listen we talk about sabalenka serve all the time Pula actually has more unret returned serves here on the day really 14 have not come back to just 11 for sabalenka serve up the t is going to be a let she needs more of them at the right time yes absolutely another first serve here at 15 love love one in the second serve into the net back onto her side this time second serve with sabalenka again in that wide stance on the Bas Bas line Second serve is good backhand sabalenka laced up the line return winner for sabalenka 15 all yeah great job there by sabinka just really stepping in but the that was nice directed down that line backand two and backend nicely done 15 all serve T sabalenka rolls a backend Kula big forehand to a sabinka backhand pigula backhand cross sabalenka backhand up the line good squash shot pigula lands good drop shot SA Pula chips it up the line sabalenka backand good for a winner an opening here at 1530 yeah what she is doing so well today it looks like she's getting ready to drive another back hand but then she comes underneath it hits a disguise backhand slice and just follows it up with a beautiful passion T down the line that is so hard to do cuz you don't know what she's doing when she got you on the move she can hit the big one but now adding the slice in there that's a whole another level serve right off the service line pigula gets a big forehand she hits the net and why unlucky but the chance is here for arena sabalenka you know it's funny cuz I'm watching bgan King so animated in the president's box watching but on the last you know approach shots uh Billy was very happy I can tell you that she went down the line but the only thing she's saying and I could read our leaps she said cover the line cover the line she didn't serve up the from Pula gets a free point there UNR returned serve number 15 of the day Jessica's just got to keep trying to find a way to hang in there get some first serves in break point number two serve into the net every time I say that she misses the first serve maybe that's on you it is second serve here for Pula into the net it's a double fault the double fault here in the last couple of games she throws her racket in disgust to the ground Arena sabalenka last year two break chances not able to convert this year two break chances able to convert with some help the difference is you have a player last year that can run literally run anything down with a little bigger serve but Jessica I still think that you know if Jessica to just hang in there she needs to just try to figure out a way to just get sabinka to move a little bit more if she can hit that shot on the Run let her have it yeah it's going to be so important in this next stretch here about 15 20 minutes for Pula to stay tight gets a second serve goes back in up the line sabalenka backand middle Pula backand cross sabalenka backhand middle Pula backand middle as well sabalenka backand up the line running forehand Pula sabalenka digs out of forand to Pula backand that sprays wide it's 15 love and I'm you and I called the sabalenka match against Emma novaro and that's what Emma was able to do right keep things tight and then found that break when sabalenka was serving for it at 5'4 just got to keep it tight and allow the crowd to do some work and allow sabinka to at least have the opportunity to just kind of go away backhand from pulas into the net and Mike it's understandable cuz that pressure is just coming when someone yes you feel that can just knock the racket out of your hand then you get to a point where you start not wanting to feel embarrassed yes so then you get to a point where you're trying to overplay so I I get all of that but she's just got to try to figure way to hang in there yes no doubt by the way another time was uh Jessica looking at her our box and just hitting a rocket string saying I don't feel the rocket and feel the ball serve is a second it's good sabalenka goes back in middle Pula back in Fross not even close to the court well long gain points here for arena sabalenka I think a lot of it's going to be the crowd right now in this moment trying to give a little bit of of energy to the American hope they're trying they are they are really trying serve t a saena has rolled out to a thre love lead here in the second and yeah so this is real trouble for Pula how do you stay tight in this moment where you feel like you've just kind of I mean I hate to say it but that double fault you think about that short backand late in the first as well how do you just stay mentally focused on the task at hand in the next service game it was very hard especially when someone is just literally just taking the racket out of your hand I think and you brought up a good point I think Jessica's still stuck on that that short backhand that she missed and knew that she had some opportunity because when you play Someone Like sabinka You know you're only going to get a couple so when you miss one that becomes very huge Sophie for you I mean you you talked about this idea right of of just struggling with the idea of feeling the racket H as a former player yourself how do you possibly get that back well I mean the one thing you want to do is just right now you know erase everything that's been happening and think about playing one point at a time and and trying to get the ball as as Zena said you know you you got to try to move sabalenka use the drop shot if you can but the other thing is really you know she's getting hurt on that serve I mean her first serve percentage is not high enough she's getting really hurt on the second serve I mean one one of them was 78 M hours and by that by by the way pigula is 1 and seven in WTA level finals after having dropped the opening set wow uh so on the WTA level so she only defeated Anna kalinskaya that was in Berlin this year 67 6476 so you know the stats are not there she's talking to her Camp right now I'm trying to see if we can pick up any of this but yeah this is that desperate time in when the coaching does really come in handy Mark nolles Mark merklin there the rest of the team it's a full player box right now just trying to get her refocused here and more than anything just finding a little bit of confidence which she's talked about at length of late love three first serve is long serving from the near side right now second serve Pula at love three good sabalenka big forehand misses long into the dece corner for 15 love yeah uh J also is going to kind of have to fake it until she makes it she's got to try to pump move herself around Shake It Off do something but you can't just all of a sudden just have no energy serve long four of eight to start here in the second set on the first serve and again definitely a hangover effect there second serve good sabinka forand into the dece corner dug out by Pula another big forehand this one not coming back it's 15 off yeah even on Jessica on that one she just kind of flailed at it like yeah like she's just yes she is hitting big yes they're falling in but you got to try to as Sophie said do something a little different like let's try to get to the now there's a good one to the a just try something that you normally don't do and that was just a very simple not much of a swing a little back pan punch into the ad corner but again it got Sab line angle yeah that was a really pretty swing just kind of that windshield wiper motion there for a second serve off the net and good very high bounce after these tight Nets here in New York this year 305 in this love three service game another first serve good sabalenka back in Cross slice lob from Pula is going to miss long it's 30 all yeah well there is absolutely nothing you what we were saying that needs to be done to her she did it to Jessica but that was a beautiful shot you just got a clap and move on indeed and right now pigula is four of 19 on her second serve points just 21 % serve P pagul at 30 all is wide second serve here for Pula at 30 all that is good sabalenka forehand up the line for another return winner 3040 well she just hit actually the US Open sign and one of those panel came off oh my go with the ball yeah she got a little bit upset now there's a penel missing yeah she's she's got to be careful with that forand for pigula through the middle sabinka rolls a for into a pigula foran up the line sliced back by sabinka pigula foran Inside Out caught the line sabinka slice into the net it's just what you wanted there Zena just she's going to have to go for the lines a little bit on this just go a little bit closer to the lines when she has the opportunity anything that's right behind the service line that she has a good opportunity to get a hit on try it long deep breath here now we go at Deuce at love three serve T Good Ship return into the net from sabalenka gain point for Pula great serving there by Jessica she got up for that serve that time she got a little air in her in her feet on that get up to the ball you got to make some things happen here serve up the tea is well long didn't get up at all for that one contact maybe a couple inches above the head second serve for pigula that is good sabalenka backhand cross pigula backhand crosses Well sabalenka backand Middle pigula goes backand through the middle sabala big forehand pigula tracks it down bigger forand squash shot from sabalenka goes long that might be the biggest forehand that pula's hit on the day draws the error now 3-1 that was definitely one of the Bigg ones even more Mike W was big she got a little bit more more angle on it she's got to try to start getting sabinka to be spread it out she can't keep going down the middle of the court and hope that she's missing that's not happening yeah you definitely see a lot of players really try to Target that body if you will so sabalenka doesn't have the angles there and play through the middle but at this point I mean you really have to find those angles and really kind of push her a little bit there's no doubt about it normally you're hitting like you said you're hitting that ball down the middle to get something but when you get it you got to spread it out exactly right 3-1 sabalenka From The Far Side of the Court serve T is into the net by the way new balls and sabalenka did switch racket but not Jessica interesting second serve for sabalenka here from Far Side second is good Pula goes backhand middle sabalenka backhand cross Pula can't track that one down didn't get the cleanest hit on that return paid the price 15 love paid the price she definitely paid the price and it was way more than she wanted to pay for it at 15 love at 3-1 serve off the net and long both women having a little bit tougher time serving wise percentage wise in this second set sabinka will be at 50% 6 of 12 after missing there second serve good Pula big backing cross sabinka tries to redirect up the line not even close L the court but right there sab's foot was in between the singles and the doubles alley which means Pula pulled her off there pula's got to try to start opening it up like that that's her only chance when she gets out sabinka is not comfortable on the move at 15 all for arena sabalenka serve T is long and now below 50% for the set again Pula stepping in here second serve for arena sabalenka that's good to a backhand pigula middle sabinka rolls a backhand LS good pigula backend to a sabalenka backhand punch that caught the line now sabinka backhand is into the net she didn't look comfortable at any stage off the ground there and now pigula opening here at 1530 she did not but P Pula did a great job that was a nice deep ball had her on the the he the crowd once again is trying their best to push Jessica through this [Music] game starts about 6 feet behind the Baseline for a first serve return sabalan at 1530 serve T net first serve has disappeared here six of 14 in the set second serve for sabalenka hour and 20 minutes into this now that serve is good pigula back to a sabalenka Inside Out forand Pula digs that out forehand for sabalenka is not even close to the court stayed very low and she couldn't get up and down two chances for Jess Pula yeah Jessica actually got away with one in my opinion on that ball but it does not matter because the great thing that she did was constantly keep that ball coming back it was Stronger down the middle keeping sabinka on her heels first break chances of this set for Gula who was two of four in the first serve it 1540 good out wide pigula forand to a sabinka forand up the line Miss from pigula off the backhand Wing powerful stuff she didn't get the angle she wanted sabalenka with that forehand but the pace and depth on point well she really just picked it up like almost like a half ground stroke nice but and the force was behind it and what she's been doing great it's her balance just staying very low very balance and that also push that also brings on a very forceful ground stroke when you keep balance like that Kula goes back hand up the line squash shot sabalenka misses long what a return for Jessica Pula and returns back into this match we're on serve 32 Midway through the second on US Open radio presented by American Express [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] well you have to admire the Persistence of Jessica Pula she's about to serve here at 23 from From The Far Side Mike C Xena Garrison Sophie am is courts side she has found herself down multiple times finds ways back into it here just kind of putting her head down doing the work first serve te good chip return to a pigula backhand cross abena backhand slice lands good pigula drop shot yeah absolutely 15 love I'm having my own little dance here because that was all set up by she went a little bit closer to the lines wide and then set it up in an beautiful backhand drop side by Jessica Pula at 15 love serve out wide chip returned pigula is going to have a backand another drop shot sabinka there misses long off the 4and wing it's 30 love and Sophie your thoughts on backto back drop shots there from Jess Pula I'm excited that's my thoughts I mean it works she's got to move her around and she's got to keep serving the way she's serving right now 242 on the serve 30 love for Jess pugula serve good sabinka big forehand pugula just pops it into the ad Corner no problem gain points when you say put a knee to the ground Jessica was so low on that ball so balanced her knees were just completely there beautifully struck forehand right down the line serve into the net here at 40 love second serve for pigula T is wide it's a double fault for her 4 that's okay if it's going to come I'd rather it come right now but good thing is she's still up 4015 she need really needs to try to get some type of serve in some type of corner or right into her body and then instantly popper wi went t on that first serve misses long it was an aggressive second serve that big hard slider up the te this second serve good sabalenka backand middle pigula backand crosses into the net from 40 love to 4030 403 that was 79 milph second serve you know that you're going to get sanctioned by the return but the crowd is here listen to them thank you serve for pagul with this game point up the T chip returned pigula is going to have a forehand goes cross sabinka forand cross with depth now sabinka stepping into a forand through the middle Pula forehand up the line to a backhand sabalenka Pula backhand middle sabalenka backhand cross good angle sliced back by Pula sabalenka backhand cross good now has a backhand goes through the middle hula backhand up the line lens good squash shot saena hula backhand Inside Out squash shot again from sabalenka Lan's good pigula forand cross sabalenka rolls a forehand with depth and pigula misses that forand what defensive work from Arena sabalenka to get us to deu that was great defense there by Sava Pula had a couple of opportunities she chose to go back down the line twice and actually to me she paid for it you got to keep Sabina you have on her stren keep her going longest rally of the day 20 shots sabalenka has won eight of the 10 points that have gone nine shots or more tonight dece serve good sabalenka forand middle Pula forand middle sabalenka Inside Out forand off the net rolls over Pula backand cross Seena there she just misses she guessed right timing was off by that much and Pula has a game point sea would love to have that one back she looked like a ballerina on that she just had a little twirl going because she knew that Court was wide open she picked the right side and just missed it by a little bit but great job by Pula getting up to that short ball that hit the net and she was right up there ready for it with the game point here Pula From The Far Side serve is long this has been the issue the second serves five of 23 on the day just 22% second serve for Jess hour and 27 minutes in second seres good sabalenka backhand is going to miss long we're at three on Mike we have some new energy in the building yeah have the crowd on their feet right now and yeah we knew the crowd was going to be a major major factor and they have indeed been there when Pula has needed when she has started to Trail and think back to that yeah love three service game when she desperately needed now she's back in at three all she misses the first return here here from the sabalenka serve to the forehand side the 15 love this is when you do also though even though the momentum has shifted back for pigula I mean that finish line here a few games ago was very much in sight for sabalenka with that break three love lead serve T good pigula rolls a forehand to a sabalenka Inside Out forehand pigula backhand sabalenka backhand cross off the line good lob from pigula sabalenka Big for and off the net and good another L from pigula saena overhead good into the dece corner yeah she had time on that forehand side after the net cord probably just didn't realize it fast enough Zena yeah that's a couple times Jessica has done that well she might have had an opportunity knowing that sabinka is still working on her volley she doesn't volley that well she keeps putting up the lob you she had time enough to try to hit a ground stroke on that forehand side at 30 love for arena sabalenka serve good backhand pugula sabinka Inside Out forand pugula backhand pass absolutely dark thrown by Jess Pula to the Delight of Flav of flave it's 305 flavor flave has a pink suit on and a pink clock he's all about the pink today that clock has some flash on it that's I wow some Bling That is a easily a a seven fig piece I have to think 3015 serve here for sinka good to a Pula back in up the line forand from sabalan off the net and good pigula forand up the line backhand sabalenka short pigula backand to a sabalan forand volley Pula is good 30 all that has been so many net cords in this match but they've been going in the favor of Pula giving her an opportunity to get to the next ball she got up so close on that neck court but this backhand Valley was absolutely perfect by pugula great job we need more of it and very smart to go down the line on the approach I mean very smart much better than going crosscourt where you have to mirror your approach much for the point to get set for the next pass keep it in front of you three all 30 all serve out wide Good Ship return good depth sabalenka forand to a pigula back in middle sabalenka back in up the line running forand pigula sabalenka forand to a Pula foring up the line to the at corner there's a break chance 3040 noticing what we are seeing right now where is that ball going it's going closer to the uh to the sidelines she's got to take her chances and right there it paid out for that was a beautiful forehand down the line by Jessica pugula thank you hour and 30 minutes in can pugula take control of this set with a break chance three of six on the day serve for sabalenka T well white misses by about 3 fet Pula again taking that step inside the Baseline second serve sabalenka no doubles here in the set serve good Pula backhand cross sabalenka backhand middle sliced up the line from Pula squash shot from sabalenka is into the net Jessica Pula was down and out just a couple moments ago and now finds herself in the driver's seat in the second set 43 with a break on US Open radio presented by American Express [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] well this turn around is really something special right now Sophie amak your court side I can't imagine what it's like inside the building right now well people on their feet when the Jessica is getting ready now with the balls to serve here at 4-3 in the second set what a turn around you said it and uh yes Zena she's moving finally Sanka and it is paying off she needs a lot of first serves here and uh try to put them maybe sometimes at the body Pula from the near side excuse me 4-3 serves up the T chip return piga inside out for H and again draws a forced error out of sabalenka I want to point out as well listen we're going to give a lot of the credit to pigula right she's obviously changed tactics here in terms of just a little bit more aggression and it's also you think about how successful sabalenka was moving forward she was 12 of 13 in that first set points at the net she's two of four here in the second set a lot of that having to do with pula's Precision off the ground Sabal Lena with a forehand error as well here for 30 love but to what you're asking is very hard to move forward if you are moving and so Jessica has done a better job of getting her moving and that she's not having that ball where she can sit there and just move straight forward into the ball 30 love here for Pula near side serve good sabalenka big return squash shot good sabalenka drop shot Pula there pops it up the line swinging volley right through Jess Pula 3015 and Jessica even had a little smile on that the great thing is that Jessica did she had herself just moving doing whatever she could to get up to that ball but this swing and volley went right down the middle of the court from sa linol they could both just kind of laugh at that a very rare moment of levity 3015 serve good sabalenka forehand up the line Pula forand to a sabinka forand cross Pula can't come up with that one but it really shows right right now with sabalenka taking the first chance to go big crack this is First Strike tennis right now it's definitely First Strike tennis as well as getting the other person moving off the court where it would open up the court so it's just going to be who's going to have the wheel to do it first 30 all at 4-3 serve Pula good sabalenka lobs a return that lands good Pula forehand Cross saena forand Bigger cross Pula forand up the line to a backhand sabalan that's into the net Jess got away with it a little bit little too much in that middle but it the speed wasn't there little off Pace there by [Music] Jessica 30th unforced error of the day for sabalenka to go along with 34 winners my word 403 serve for Pula off the net just wide ball finally gets cleared Pula Waits now ready to go with his second serve toss goes up second serve into the net it's a double it's her third of this set she thought she thought it was first serve she didn't know lost she took a ball from the ball kid and I was looking at it going why did you take the ball from the ball kid she thought it was first sered she didn't hear the call well at least she laughed at herself oh my gosh there's nothing you can do about you can't get it back so you might as well laugh at yourself oh my gosh but that's God that was a huge that was a huge Point huge fourth double of the day dece now serve good sabinka backand middle pigula goes backand middle sabinka backand Inside Out pushed it wide I don't love that thought process from sadena when you have somebody who clearly had a mental lapse like that keep you have to make that keep it going listen to [Applause] them oh rings of Courtney Cox yes I'm like friends serve is good backhand return pigula goes backhand cross saena backhand crosses well Pula digs it out up the line squash shot from Sabal Lanas into the net it's 5-3 way to go Jessica she held in there but what she did was start moving sabalo and it actually paid off she even has steep Curry up he's clapping his hands this crowd is ready to explode if she wins this set and she's given herself an opportunity one game away here well this is hold the Baseline says Mark merklin definitely listen since 7 FS reload 4030 Jessica pigula has won 20 points for eight on the other side yeah that's pretty nuts serve is good chip return land short Sabal Lanka forand Inside Out missed it long and swats the ball in frustration there after it came back off the Pula racket a lot of d ja Vu is going on right about now sabala's head she had it basically where she wanted to have it and Jessica has hung in there and the crowd can feel it but more than anything sabinka is starting to feel it serve good wow that was powerful out 109 but that was angry angry Ace third of the set six of the day for sabalenka 15 all here at 35 serve T lob return lands good Saban's overhead good Pula chips it just into the net almost had that cleared but it is 3015 that was a great overhead there serve speed 115 M hour but that overhead seemed like it was 200 M an hour yes it did so 305 as the crowd hushes here serve out wide is wide sabinka had taken a couple steps into the court now retreating starting her motion at 315 with a second serve which is good to Pula back in middle dug out by sabalenka into the dece court and Pula can't dig out the forehand it's a game point two of them here for sabalenka sa Lincoln to me is doing a great job of just trying to compose herself she's done a great job of coming back after what just happened she's playing just point to point right now serve te the Gula back in servant volley goes arai what a return right to the feet from Jessica Pula 4030 now I might have to take back everything I just said that was a little mental lapse there she tried to serve in B but Jessica was all over that didn't quite get to the service line still has a game point sabalo who's serving From The Far Side right now toss goes up for arena sabalenka serve out wide is into the net to the Delight of at least one member of the crowd second serve upcoming here for arena sabalenka with Pula inside the Baseline second is good Pula backend middle misses just long that's a rare return Miss here in the second set that was a rare one it also she was very late on that she was indeed so sabalenka does force the issue gets us to 54 and listen this turnar around here that was ending a stretch of five straight games Sophie we'll start with you and we actually just kind of see you sneaking in there right next to Andrea petkovich but your your thoughts on this turnaround here and how Jessica Pula maintains this here as she tries to close out the second set it's all about the serve I keep saying it but this time even more so right here she wants to really take this as we're seeing a lot of uh really big stars here Emily Blunt is on the on the screen right now I mean we've seen Courtney box we've seen inala Glazer Elana Glazer with Tina Fe earlier I mean it was it's a lot of fun and her yes her is in the house that's a band Yes I okay I just want to make sure she's looking at you like who's that no no I was letting you finish but I know oh and Claire D is in the house oh wow you on a roll but I was waiting you get back to the tennis so that's why I was like okay well let me tell you the first serve going back to the tennis is very key here and she needs to have that first her but you know keep moving sabalenka like you said Zena because sabalenka is getting impatient but she is trying herself sabinka to hit as hard as she can even harder when she's down and that's uh what what she's made of and she's trying to relax right now going to uh the re receiving side relaxing her her her arms you know shaking her arms around and let's see what pigula can do here if she can even things out once at all the crowd will go absolutely nuts it is pigula serving for the set here at 54 From The Far Side serve good sabalenka back in through the middle pigula backhand cross sabalenka has to slice that up the line pigula forand middle sabalenka forand cross pigula tracks that down through the middle sabalenka forand back behind pigula who hits that up the line sabalenka backhand cross pigula drop shot sabalenka is going to get there goes forehand cross Pula there lob volley from sabalenka Wow backhand overhead from sabalenka on a full stretch remarkable stuff for love 15 that was just an awesome Point by both players but this get to the drop shot was nice poua just stretching up but she hit a high ball sabala just literally did a 365 High overhead backend just amazing I can't even describe it it was so awesome missed first serve Susan langland yes pette there midcourt second serve for pigula at love 15 second is good sabalenka back in to a pigula backand cross sabinka backand up the line Pula running forehand goes cross and goes long it's love 30 yeah Pula there has actually twice she's had an opportunity to kind of stretch Sabal link and she keeps it's almost she needs to find that happy balance cuz now she's like I'm back in it let me just kind of play it safe you can't play it safe you got to go for it this crowd again urging Jessica Pula to this Finish Line backand returned to a Pula forehand sabinka digs out of backand Pula goes backand up the line running forand for sabalan cross Pula forand to a sabalenka forand middle Pula goes forand middle sabalenka digs out of backand pigula backand cross sliced back from sabalenka back in up the line from pula's well long three chances for arena sabalenka sabinka did a great job there just kind of holding her ground a little extra pressure on poua came out with that slice Jessica did not get up to that [Applause] slice one of three under break chances here in this set four of 10 on the day is sabalenka love 40 serve T good sabalenka forand short Pula big forand cross lob from sabalenka just missing that was a very casual leave from Pula on a ball that did not miss by much I don't know if I would have left that one Al but she had a better eye than me and that was a great shot but she took that forehand short and went to the opposite corner and it paid off for her 1540 Ser good sabalenka back in Inside Out pigula has to dig out a forand sabalenka forand cross pigula goes forand cross sabalenka forand middle short pigula steps Up forand Inside Out lob for sabalenka pigula Retreats it's good on the Baseline pigula Inside Out forehand sabalenka backhand line she missed it she missed it long 3040 that was good work by Pula running down everything when she had the opportunity to go to the opposite corner to the corner she went to the corner and sabinka had an opportunity on this backhand down the line just took her eye off of it great running by Pula knowing that she's running for everything sabik had to go for a little bit more break point number three at 3040 serve good good backhand sabalenka pugula backand up the line running forand sabalenka pugula goes forand cross sabalenka forand up the line oh my a thing of beauty as Arena sabala gets the break to five all that was just phenomenal there she stepped into that forehand did not relinquish anything out of that beautiful power raised her hand to her boxes come on give me more give me more she was phenomenal on that shot what a match we are seeing here the women's singles final living up to expectation five all for the second straight set sabalenka serving near side serve T good lob return is going to be short sabalenka for an inside out into the ad Corner 15 love we got to give it to sabik she is serving as Sophie said the person who serves the best is going to come out on top not exactly what you said Sophie but first serve you got to go for enough and that was an excellent serve there she has it here at 15 love toss goes up serve out wide is well wide hour 46 Now 46 minutes for this set after an hourlong first second serve upcoming here for Sabal Linka five all 15 love serve off the net and wide it's a double her first of the set fifth of the day 15 all yeah she's not going to like that she's going to want it back she's doing a great job of just kind of calming herself down realizes there's nothing she can do about that yeah the reach was not quite there very low contact point on that second serve as we got to look at the replay second serve up coming here she misses out wide with her first serve second serve now at 15 all for sabalenka good pigula forehand middle lands right on the Baseline now she's going to get a backand goes cross sabalenka backhand short sliced back by Pula forand for sabalenka goes cross Pula matches sabalenka forand middle pigula forand up the line just a bit wide just wide into the ad corner for 3015 yeah Pulu actually went for it there I think she was actually a ball off it should have been that first ball not that second one that other one came just a little bit too deep she's got to keep pushing herself to try something that she normally would not do she gets that first strike she's got to go for it no doubt about it she does have a negative winner to unforced err count but she had to she had to take some of those risks 305 here in the five all service Game T serve is just long again inside the Baseline is Jess pigula the left foot is right on the outside sideline second can serve here for sabalenka good Pula backand goes cross but it got away from her very good kicker and that contact point was above her head gain Point saval Linka yes uh it was a great kick there by sabinka Pula kind of smiled at the end cuz she realized she didn't get her feet up to the ball one thing about a kick so you cannot let it get there that's why people want to get it high you got to move in before it gets too high serve is good lober turn's going to miss wide Arena grab alanka one game away here at 65 Sophie these emotions are always so difficult a couple seconds ago pigula was serving for the third set now on her back heel serving to stay in it what does she need to do here to just force a tie break well as you can hear the CR now is aun Le the uh gymnast and uh pretty amazing but yeah talking about you know what happens back back and forth in this set it's it's pretty incredible to see like the momentum just shifting constantly and we've seen this you know in the semi-finals as well and uh this time here now it's Pula who changing over with a a deficit and trying to stay in the match so uh it's going to be tough but I tell you one thing is after one point I mean I was watching a little bit more sabalenka and she seems to be you know trying to breathe out I mean one because I think she's nervous but I think also because she's might be getting a slightly bit uh you know tired and maybe maybe slower and I think that that's very important for Jessica to stay with it as sabalenka is putting ice on her on her head again as uh it is still very very moist and the the humidity is is still very high here but Zena you talked about this all of that wasted energy doing the spins talking to the crowd all of that this is where it shows late a second that you absolutely right is definitely where it does and it's if Jessica just can keep hanging in there well she has to on this game it can pay off because it is a lot of energy being expers 56 serving from the near side service good lob return it's going to be a swinging volley sabinka there for another lob pigula backtracks lob misses long 15 love great there move there by pigula noticing that sabinka was in trouble hit a swinging volley came in great work she's got to do a little bit more of that that first serve needs to be somewhere in the court right about now serve netted that's on you Zena I said it again second serve here for Pula that is good sabalenka goes backhand cross pigula digs it out short forehand for sabalenka yes big backhand cross finished with the forehand cross for 15 all but this is where I'm saying Pula has to take some chance she just put that ball right back in the zone of of sabinka at 15 all nervous energy from the crowd at 56 serve good sabinka big for in Cross yeah she's got it are you kidding me oh my goodness that was amazing that forehand Cross Court winner that sabinka just hit she is on a Zone in a Zone and she's trying to finish this 1532 points away 40th winner of the match serve Pula long sabalenka again two big steps in right on the Baseline for this second serve which is good sabalenka backing up the line running forehand Pula sabalenka forehand middle Pula rolls a forehand long Championship Point Arena sabalenka at 1540 sabala put so much power into that forehead she was so high off the ground putting all of her weight behind that shot and she brings up a championship point for sabinka Pula from the near side toss goes up serve good sabinka backhand good hula forehand cross sabalenka goes forehand middle hula backhand middle sabalenka back in through the middle hula back in up the line running forehand for sabalenka into the net 3040 great job by Gula staying in there sa is just still talking to herself at this point she wants every Point Jessica just got to keep hanging in there you never know Championship Point number two at 3040 Pula sered good sabalenka goes backhand cross Pula digs it out sabalenka backhand cross off the net and good Pula love sabala stepping in as a big four and goes to the de Corner Pula lob long and a saal Lanka finally gets her crown in Queens she wins her first US Open title 75 75 over Jessica Pula on the ground sobbing is Arena sabalenka she's done it a title here in New York that was simply amazing both women giving a hug Sab was so excited she's took so much energy she's had so much ups and down at this court here at the US Open but now in arur stadium she is the US open's Women's Champion 2024 Champion well done sabala she throws her hands to the crowd here and starts walking towards her team with tears streaming down her cheeks a US Open title to add to her two Australian Open titles she wants to get into the crowd being directed through the photographer's pit and Sophie amch your thoughts there on what we saw just incredible there to come from 53 down in the second resilience there from sabalenka yeah and once again I mean the resilience and you know we were talking about the emotional but there's something that I want to point out is that the amount of points and uh that she won over eight or nine exchanges that's pretty incredible as she is making her way now into her box uh and giving High fvs to different people in the crowd now embracing her box and and thanking uh well I guess our trainer our coach they're all here embracing each other and uh she needs uh to be celebrated because uh the way she played come back I agree is uh pretty Exquisite good effort for Pula probably uh you know a few points here and there especially in that first set where she had a chance to uh maybe push it to a tie break but uh in any case I think that was a fabulous match a fabulous uh final here uh in two sets unfortunately cuz uh it felt like uh it it should have gone in three and and make it even more fun and appealing but uh that was a great match and congrats to Jessica to go as far to the final here after being stopped so many times in the quarterfinals what an effort yeah this is hugs all around right now hugging her boyfriend and you can just collapsing into his arms there just this emotional moment for her and yeah as she slams The I I think that's not a permanent tattoo but I think it's about to be a permanent tattoo she smacks her Fitness coach Jason right on top of the head where he has that temporary tattoo of a tiger and is heading back down to the court we're going to take a very short timeout come back for our Trophy presentation you've been listening to the women's singles final here on US Open radio presented by American Express [Music] [Music] well Arena sabalenka has made her way back down to the court hugs for strangers selfies being taken with everyone as they're just putting together the stage for our Trophy ceremony and and let's let's talk a little bit about Jessica pigula here and she's going to have a moment along with Arena sabalenka here in just a second A lot's going to be talked about in terms of the second serve but her level and the rise she made in that second set off the ground taking more risk and being brave my goodness that says a lot about the quality of her character and the quality of her play well she has absolutely nothing to hold her head down she gave it everything she did she even in the midst of the match when someone is just blasting forehands and backhands everywhere around she changed up some strategy and tried something new and it started working it was just a little bit too late to to a little bit too late and sabinka was not going to let anything go I have to take my hat off to saing she is one of those players that have absolutely has no problems with telling you what's going on in her head and what she's trying to work on the whole thing about everybody with the crowd and all that I think last year she absolutely knew what why she lost that match last what she felt and she was determined to come back this year and that was not going to happen there and Sophie she did just that I mean think about the variety that she employed and had to employ through this match and overcoming the demons when she went down a break in the second that again talks a lot about Arena sabalenka doesn't it yeah she didn't break down under the pressure she she was emotionally very stable uh throughout this match considering how difficult it was with you know the crowd I mean there's nothing as I said at one point when people start clapping and 24,000 of them on your double faults and I mean you you I mean you have to have some really really strong mind to be able to get over that and uh and to continue playing and and really try to pretty much not acknowledge you know this crowd and and try to take it for yourself really that's what a lot of players say say you know when they hear that the crowd is for the open they only think that every time they clap it's for you you can kind of put yourself in this mindset and uh uh yeah I mean she was pretty Exquisite and the pressure she started to hit harder at 53 and harder and harder and you know altogether I mean kudos to her because I'm sure it's at some stages she probably thought about last year uh but that thought probably uh was chased very quickly for her to accomplish uh her first uh you know us open title well last couple seconds here as we start our Trophy presentation we're getting a look again at seeno walking back through the crowd and yeah a pretty remarkable scene here for her to actually get to enjoy that moment right yeah you don't have too many opportunity the slapping of the Tiger on the ball head is is pretty cool to me yeah and ban King is on court I think she's going to give the trophy she's just like high-fiving all the the ball crew right here it's kind of it's very cool to watch Jessica Pula meanwhile on her phone here and I this it's it's such a loving place you get hugs from everyone and meanwhile if you're on the wrong end of it you're just kind of alone out there for a couple of minutes and that is such a heartbreaking thing as we see that Tiffany is out here providing our trophies for our two players here today I believe it's Mary Joe Fernandez who's going to be handling some of the trophy duties here today indeed it is Ryan hline the USA representative who will out there here last couple of pieces being put into place yeah we we're getting a look right now at Jessica Pula who looks like she's kind of staring off into space talking to herself right now this is you know why why don't if you if you do lose here maybe go out into the crowd maybe your coaches get to come down here onto that box as well well it's a tough one right yeah it's a very tough one but you also you're still playing the match in your head yeah you know and so it's very it's very like what could I've done you know but then you're also somewhere in the mid you're like not bad it's really not bad but you're still like as a competitor that we know that she is Jessica um she's probably replaying some points that she had in her head that maybe she could have taken some more opportunities on hopefully this is the first of multiple opportunities for her Arena sabalenka just was shown on the big screen and was actually crying and that's why that crowd responded she has been brought out onto stage as has Jessica Pula looks like we are just about ready to start our Trophy presentation with Mary Joe Fernandez hosting tonight women's singles championship trophy presentation tournament director Stacy Alister USDA chairman of the board and president Dr Brian hline representing JP Morgan Chase Chief marketing officer Carla zakim Hassan and celebrating the 50th anniversary of her fourth and final US Open win the indomitable Billy Jean King and our host from ESPN Mary Joe Fernandez thank you ladies and gentlemen how about another round of applause for this terrific women's [Applause] final we will Begin by welcoming future American tennis champions 12-year-old Luca brara brazes from John Mao Tennis Academy Randall's Island and 9-year-old niana schunker from Sarah TOA Springs YMCA to begin our Trophy ceremony we'd like to recognize our chair umpire for today's Final and ask James Kang to please step forward it is now my pleasure to introduce the chairman of the board and president of the USA Brian Haine Brian thank you Mary Joe Jess you are a powerful voice of inclusion especially for the Asian-American Pacific Islander Community thank you for using tennis as a platform for social awareness and congratulations on advancing to your first Grand Slam singles final [Music] we know there's more Grand Slam greatness than you Arena on this same platform last year I noted that you are a player of power and Grace I might add that you are a player who speaks for peace and who has a pretty good sense of [Music] humor congratulations on your third Grand Slam singles championship and your first US Open singles championship [Applause] [Music] to the US Open Staff All The Spectators and everyone connected with the US Open thank you for making this 3-week event so spectacular and for the fans thank you for being the greatest sports fans on the planet and for everyone in the world if you have not done so already go home pick up a tennis racket find a tennis court near you and begin playing tennis the healthiest sport on the planet that is a journey for life thank you thank you Brian let's talk to our finalist Jessica Pula just despite this not the outcome you were looking for you've had an incredible two weeks you beat the world's number one and you broke through and made your first major final can you reflect on what this journey has been like for you yeah I mean it's been an incredible month for me really um I had a rough start to the year but was really able to turn it around so I mean to be able to to be standing here in my first Grand Slam final and then coming off such a hot summer I mean I didn't expect it so um I'm just you know really grateful for the last you know few weeks of tennis and some incredible matches that I've been able to put [Music] together today was another incredible match you were down in both sets you almost turned it around like you did in the semifinal what made it so difficult against Arena tonight oh I wish she would have at least let me get one set god um we had obviously another a tough match in Cincinnati a few weeks ago and she's been playing some amazing Hardcore Tennis and if not the best hard player in the world so I knew it was going to be challenging and tough I mean she's super powerful goes for her shots she's definitely not going to give you anything and um she can take the racket out of your hand a lot of times so um yeah I was happy I was able to fight back and give myself a chance but in the end it wasn't enough but I'm I'm glad I was able to stay in it and keep giving myself opportunities finally no one gets to This Moment by themselves and you've had great support these two weeks with family your coaches your team what message do you have for them yeah thank you guys over there in my box um thanks to both my coaches Mark and Mark um sea my physio John my trainer my brother sister agent husband um everybody that's in the box today thank you guys so much for supporting me over the last you know well forever but also the last couple weeks and the last month it's been crazy and also to I think my parents are also somewhere here I have lots of friends and family that just came in to watch that are all kind of scattered around I don't really know where they are but um thank you guys so much for coming and supporting me I mean it's been a long journey so to to be able to have your sport here in the US that my home slam is amazing thank you congratulations Jess on behalf of the USA Brian hanline will present you with your trophy and now let's talk to our champion Arena congratulations you've come so close in the past you have two Australian Open titles but what is the mean to win your first US Open oh my God I'm I'm speechless right now because as you said so many times yeah as you said uh so many times I like I I thought I was so close to get you open title always been dream dream of mine and and finally I get I got this beautiful trophy it means a lot it was very very difficult couple of weeks and talk talking about Jessica I know I know how tough it lose in the finals but you're showing some some amazing tennis and I'm more than sure that one day you're going to you're going to get one I mean not one maybe more but let's let's start from one grand slam and congratulations on on a great summer uh you're an amazing player and in that second set honestly I was just praying there I was literally standing there and praying for for getting this week uh this win and you're talking about giving you one set so yeah and yeah it means a lot I'm literally stitchless right now we saw some tear last year when you lost in the final and now we see some different type of tiers winning this tournament what are your emotions like right now you know everything I'm thinking I remember all those tough losses in the past here and and you know just it's going to sound lazy but never give up on your dream and just keep keep trying keep working hard and if you're really working hard and you you you're sacrificing everything for your dream you're going to get it one day so I'm just I'm just super proud of myself I never say that but really guys I'm super proud of myself I'm proud of my team [Music] [Applause] that that no matter what that no matter what no matter which situation we were facing this season and in the past we were able to to go through it and and get all those beautiful trophies and you had a beautiful Embrace with all of them what does that their support mean to you I mean that's everything let's let's be honest without them it wouldn't be me and I wouldn't exist and as I always say without me you guys wouldn't exist too so you're welcome no no I love you guys and your support is is everything you're my family and I don't know I cannot imagine my tennis life and my personal life without you guys I really I really love you I say it really like not often but I say it sometimes and I say it loud but guys I love you so much thank you thank you for being you and lastly Arena you were asking this crowd to get involved during this match playing Another American what were you thinking now honestly I mean guys thank you I heard a lot of support uh you were you were cheering for me on those good Mo on those good good moments but um of course I expected you to cheer for for jasica I mean that's I mean that's wouldn't be normal if you would uh cheer from me you know so but anyway guys thank you so much for for all the support throughout uh these two incredible weeks you guys really amazing and you make this place very special and very enjoyable to play so thank you so much once again you guys are amazing congratulations Arena and now to hand you a prize money check for $3,600,000 is Chief marketing officer from CHP Morgan Chase Carla Sim Hassan that's pretty nice and the one and only Billy Jing King will hand you your championship [Music] trophy they're meeting in the middle couple of words from Billy Jean King sinka shaking her hands and Now ladies and gentlemen your 2024 US Open Women's Champion Arena sabalenka she hoists that trophy over her head a welld deserved US Open crown for arena sabalenka again you can see some tears going to be falling here over the next couple of minutes she checks the lid is on and is going to stay on that don't want that to be falling off that just means she's got a lot of those so she knew it could possibly come off well done well let's go to Sophie amch first there Sophie um I I don't I don't know how else to say it the improvement from Arena sabil Lanka from last year to this year it is hard for people at the very top of the game right to really take stock of themselves and see where they have that weakness and say I've got to give another 5% I've got another 10% to give and she's done that and it has paid off here in New York yeah it has paid off in New York has paid off in the last two or three years I mean the the changes and uh just the commitment that she you know as she said you know it takes a lot of effort and a lot of dedication but also the fact that she's really growing into her tennis and uh you know I talked a lot uh in the past about the N for Ser versus winners and you know the the Gap that are in between and the if she's in the plus column you know it's going to be a bad day for the opposition if she's close and still a little bit on the negative side maybe two or three negative points below the enforce versus winners it's still going to be a bad day for the opposite and and right now she's very consistent she's been consistent and that's why she was and she is number two in the world that's why she won today I mean look I I don't have the stats in front of me but out of all those long points the eight plus rallies I think she won the majority 12 12 of 15 Sophie yeah so I mean that's telling that in some way she performs she is getting better and better in those long rallies with the amount of risk that she's taking and that to me is is absolutely a huge Improvement for somebody who hits the ball so hard Zena your final thoughts yeah I I mean I just got to take my hats off to her first of all I absolutely love the way that she thanked her team as a team and that without them she could not do what she does and then without her she they cannot do and I say that because a lot of you know people a lot of uh players do not get that it really is a team effort and especially now in this day and age but that is where to me this is why she's holding up that Championship she's made some improvement she was very uh holding herself accountable for what she did and what she needed to do and she made those adjustments and coming forward she it's the best I've ever seen and then those Drop shots were absolutely amazing she finished 18 of 23 at the net just very very impressed and and one thing she said that I wrote down that she was so proud of herself yes and she used to not she used to get down on herself that that's an improvement within itself as well as as a parent that's exactly what you want to teach your child is to make sure that they take pride in their accomplishments in their hard work and she has shown that she takes pride in that and that work effort and it just really paid off here in New York taking couple pictures with the ball crew right now tiger post Sophie on the sideline just FYI Billy J ke taking selfies with everybody thanking all the ball crew I mean this is ridiculous she's giving high five to all the ball crew all the you know the carrying the carriers of the flags and now you know doing selfies and then giving autographs that's that's a beautiful thing that we're seeing here on this court with sabalenka with that trophy imposing absolutely Grand this is it for the three of us on air um Zena Sophie I'm going to