Sabalenka Retains U.S. Open Crown After Beating Anisimova
Aryna Sabalenka has done it again. Under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world No. 1 defended her U.S. Open title by defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3). On paper, the match may look straightforward, but in reality, it was anything but simple. The night turned into a battle of nerve, precision, and who could handle pressure just a little bit better.
From the very beginning, Anisimova came in swinging. Her fearless, all-or-nothing approach briefly put Sabalenka on the back foot. When Sabalenka was broken early in the first set, memories of her struggles in Paris against Coco Gauff must have crossed her mind. In that French Open final, she unraveled under pressure. This time, though, she chose control over frustration. Instead of showing visible anger, she locked in. And that decision proved pivotal. Sabalenka reeled off four straight games, cut down her errors to almost none, and suddenly the set belonged to her.
What made this contest fascinating was how much of it was decided on second-serve points. Both players are known for pouncing on those opportunities, and throughout the match, they looked to turn every second serve into an opening. But when it mattered, Sabalenka was the one who steadied herself, managing to win more than half of her second-serve points. Anisimova, on the other hand, couldn’t quite keep pace. She missed chances, sighed toward the crowd, and let momentum slip away in critical moments.
Also Read:- Tom Aspinall Booed in Paris Ahead of Ciryl Gane Showdown
- USF Stuns No. 13 Florida as Gator Ejected for Spitting
Still, the American fought hard, especially in the second set. She even broke Sabalenka when the Belarusian was serving for the championship. For a moment, it felt like the final might stretch into a deciding third set. But in the tiebreak, Sabalenka’s composure returned. Her variety, something she has developed in recent years, gave her another edge. She used slices and drop shots not just as weapons but as release valves, changing rhythm when the baseline rallies grew too intense.
Anisimova kept firing, going for her signature down-the-line winners, but those high-risk shots began to betray her. Meanwhile, Sabalenka relied more on crosscourt angles—still powerful, but safer—and that difference tilted the balance. By the end, the risk-reward equation no longer favored Anisimova.
The victory gave Sabalenka her second straight U.S. Open and fourth Grand Slam overall, solidifying her grip on the top ranking. Afterward, she admitted how tough the journey had been, recalling earlier finals where she faltered under pressure. This one, though, was different. She thanked her team, her supporters, and even turned to Anisimova with words of encouragement, predicting that her rival’s time to win a major will surely come.
Anisimova, gracious despite the disappointment of back-to-back Grand Slam final losses, acknowledged Sabalenka’s brilliance and expressed gratitude for the support she received on home soil.
So, the story of the night was not just about power or winners. It was about resilience. Aryna Sabalenka didn’t just outplay Amanda Anisimova—she overcame her own past struggles, stayed steady when it mattered most, and walked away once again as the U.S. Open champion.
Read More:
0 Comments