How Aryna Sabalenka Won the U.S. Open After a Tough Year

This time around, rather than let the support for Pegula irk her, she tried embracing her status as a spoiler. With a tight-tense first set, for example, tied at 5-5, Sabalenka turned the tables, pumping her arms in the air after winning a point, as if to say, “Hey, all you supposed tennis fans, what about a little love for me?”