Sabalenka: "I'm very happy to see you back at your best".

Aryna Sabalenka is truly a champion.

Despite a difficult year in which she had to deal with personal trauma and a number of debilitating injuries, the Belarusian is nonetheless one of the best players on the circuit.

After winning the title in Australia and finishing runner-up in Madrid and Rome, Sabalenka put in a top-class performance in Cincinnati.

After outclassing Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals (6-3, 6-3), she skilfully overcame an in-form Jessica Pegula in the final (6-3, 7-5).

While she confirms her superiority over the rest of the players when she is involved and when the surface is very fast, the 26-year-old was especially keen to pay tribute to Pegula at the prize-giving ceremony.

She declared: "Speeches are certainly not my superpower, but I'll do my best.
Thanks for a great game, Jessica (Pegula).

I'm so happy to see you back at your best. You've done a great job these last few weeks.

A title and a final. That's quite an achievement.

I'd like to congratulate you and your team on the incredible job you've done.

As you said, I'm sure we'll have many more fights in the future.

Let's keep it up, shall we?"