Aryna Sabalenka is in the final of the US Open for the second year in a row, defeating Emma Navarro in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (2). It is Sabalenka’s second Grand Slam final in 2024 and the fourth of her career.

For Sabalenka, it was a brilliant performance in terms of power. She hit 34 winners and won 74 percent of her points on her first serve.

Navarro, playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal, was not as consistent as she had been in her previous wins in this tournament. She was unable to consistently absorb Sabalenka’s power, which led to quick points. While Navarro was efficient with her first serve, she was not as fast (averaging 97.3 mph), allowing Sabalenka to show her dominating power from the baseline.

Navarro struggled with her second serve, winning only four points. This was because she fended off Sabalenka’s lightning-fast second serve return, not giving Navarro enough time to hit a good shot.

Credit must be given to Navarro’s ability to come back in the second set. Needing a break to stay alive, Navarro raised her level when Sabalenka started making mistakes. Taking inspiration from the energetic crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, she reached a second-set tiebreak. But ultimately, she could not force a third set, losing six points in a row and the match.

The match was closer than the score, but ultimately Navarro had no answer to Sabalenka’s power, ending a tournament for the American after she beat reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff and 26th seed Paula Badosa.

In the final, Sabalenka will play against the winner of the duel between Jessica Pegula and Karolina Muchova.