In a competitive, high-quality match, Sabalenka ended Pegula’s early resistance with a fourth break point for a 4-2 lead in the first set.
The Belarusian then overcame the frustration of breaking back after missing a first set point by finally taking her fifth chance to close the set on her opponent’s serve.
But Pegula, aware that victory would send her through to the semi-finals with any result, took control of the second set and backed a break to love by saving two break points against her for a 3-1 lead.
After Sabalenka got another break with a double fault, losing a third service game in five, Pegula fought back from two break points to level the match.
A troubled Sabalenka was punished for missing her first chance of the final set when Pegula grabbed her fourth break point to take the lead, but the four-time major winner hit back in an enthralling decider.
That proved crucial as Sabalenka embarked on a four-match streak and, unlike at the Wuhan Open in October, did not allow Pegula to mount a late fightback, sealing victory with an excellent forehand winner.
Sabalenka’s coach, Anton Dubrov, left his seat midway through the match after his player became “so frustrated”.
“Maybe he made the right move because he really upset me and that’s why I was able to pull out something else because I was so stressed,” Sabalenka said.
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