Aryna Sabalenka said she is determined to prove she has learned the "tough lessons" of a challenging season after battling past Jessica Pegula to reach the US Open final on Thursday.

The world number one moved a step closer to retaining her US Open crown after recovering from a set down to defeat American fourth seed Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in an absorbing two-hour five-minute duel on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

Sabalenka unleashed a guttural roar of delight as she finally saw off Pegula, who saved two match points in the 10th game before succumbing.

The 27-year-old from Belarus had also held her nerve earlier in the deciding set, saving four break points to thwart Pegula's attempts to claw her way back into the contest.

"I badly wanted to give myself another opportunity, another final

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