In Riyadh’s electrifying arena, where tension crackled in the air with each rally, Aryna Sabalenka found herself in ‌familiar territory—staring down a challenge that demanded not just power, but poise, grit, and supreme belief. Jessica Pegula, cool under pressure and razor-sharp at the net, had forced Sabalenka into a corner. And when great champions are pushed to the edge, they reveal who they are.

From the opening exchanges, the American wasn’t giving an inch. Her soft hands at the net and impeccable reading of Sabalenka’s angles kept the Belarusian swinging but searching. After securing a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 victory against Pegula, Sabalenka described the moment with refreshing honesty, “She played incredibly at the net. Every time I tried to hit slower, wider shots, she was there. I was like ‘ok I have nothing else to do except going as hard & heavy as I can down the line.’” She has now won five of her last six matches against Pegula, and with this win, she has now taken her H2H record to 9-3 against the world number 5.

Sabalenka dug into her identity—fearless hitting, thundering pace, and unshakable aggression. Point by point, she wrestled back momentum, powering through Pegula’s resilience until the court once again belonged to her. With each resounding strike down the line, Riyadh witnessed the essence of Sabalenka: relentless, uncompromising, and utterly commanding. And with this win, she has now carved her name alongside one of the sport’s greatest icons. Aryna Sabalenka (61) has now become the first player to register over 60 wins at the WTA level as the world number one in a single season since Serena Williams’ heroics in 2013.

Speaking about her opponent after the match, Sabalenka further added, “She always pushes me to the limit.” Talking about her highly aggressive game in an interview with Sky Sports, the Belarusian said, “I felt sorry, but at the same time I was so happy that I was able to find that beast mode inside of me and go after my shots and play unbelievably.” This was her 13th win against a Top 10 player this season, the most in a season since Iga Swiatek posted 15 in 2022.

She’ll next face Coco Gauff, and if she wins that match, she will then secure first place in the Steffi Graf Group with a perfect 3-0 record and move into the semis.

But despite this impressive victory against Pegula, there was one thing that made Sabalenka a bit upset in this match. What was it, though?

Aryna Sabalenka was “really upset” with her coach’s actions during the match

Pressure makes diamonds—but sometimes, it also cracks the surface. In Riyadh, as Aryna Sabalenka battled Jessica Pegula in a fiery showdown, the Belarusian wasn’t just fighting her opponent across the net—she was fighting emotions within. And when her coach, Anton Dubrov, suddenly walked out mid-match, she felt something she rarely shows on court: hurt.

What exactly happened? Dubrov was spotted leaving his seat midway through the third set, after having been on the receiving end of Sabalenka’s frustration. Later on, during her post-match interview with Sky Sport, when she was asked to share her thoughts on that bizarre moment, Sabalenka said, “I don’t remember when it happened last time, if it’s actually ever happened. But probably I was a little bit too much on him. I was so frustrated inside of me, and I was just like throwing it back on him. Probably went too far.”

She further added, “But you know what, maybe he did the right move, because he really… I don’t want to say the way I wanted to say… he really upset me, and that’s why I was able to pull out something else, because I was so, in a way, stressed.”

For a competitor like Sabalenka, who thrives on intensity and feeds off her corner’s energy, it felt like being stranded mid-battle. And when the final point was done, victory brought relief—but also reflection.

With her world number one crown ‌secured, Aryna Sabalenka will be keen to finish the season with a title triumph in Riyadh. What a season this has been for the Belarusian! She has won four titles this season (including the US Open). Highlighting her impressive performances throughout the season, American legend Andy Roddick recently made a statement saying, “She is the most reliable player on Tour, and I don’t know that there is a close second for 2025. I think this is the first time we have been able to say that.”

Even Sabalenka herself is “super happy” with the way she has performed this season, and all she now wants is to improve a little bit in each tournament she plays next season. There were quite a few instances where we saw her losing out on the chances of clinching the titles by the finest of margins. Do you think she can put up a better show in the next season, though?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta