It has been a disappointing season in terms of Grand Slam success for Sabalenka, considering she reached the final at the Australian and French Opens.
She also made it to the semi-finals at Wimbledon, but on all three occasions emotions got the better of the 27-year-old.
She cut an anguished figure throughout January’s Australian Open final, where she was out-hit by Madison Keys.
An unforced error count of 70 was her undoing against Coco Gauff at Roland Garros, while she was unable to match Anisimova’s bravery at the All England Club.
The collapses in composure were reminiscent of her early career – and something she seemed to have put behind her when she claimed three Grand Slam titles in the space of 20 months.
But more heartbreak appeared to be on the cards for Sabalenka as Pegula – buoyed by a raucous crowd – came out on top in the first set.
Sabalenka struck the first blow in the opener, swatting away a booming forehand winner to break early, but a poor service game allowed Pegula straight back in.
The top seed’s irritation grew as more unforced errors crept into her game and the crowd loudly put their backing behind Pegula, who broke again and wrapped up the opener in style with a confident love hold.
After taking an off-court break before the start of the second set, Sabalenka returned with a renewed determination and quickly went 3-0 up thanks to a more clinical approach to her shot-making.
That gap was enough to see her through the remainder of the set and force a decider, which Sabalenka took control of from the off with an immediate break.
The 27-year-old furiously fought off Pegula’s attempts to break back and let out a huge roar after wrapping up the victory on her third match point.
