Aryna Sabalenka came close to securing her second consecutive U.S. Open title but faced a moment of uncertainty when she missed a routine overhead smash against Amanda Anisimova. Despite this setback, Sabalenka managed to regain her composure after a brief lapse of doubt that had haunted her in previous major finals earlier in the year.
Acknowledging her mistake, Sabalenka explained, “I just let the doubt get into my head. But then I turned around and I took a deep breath in, and I was like, ‘OK. It happens. It’s in the past. Let’s focus on the next one.'” However, her opponent seized the opportunity and broke her serve, leading to a challenging battle on the court.
In a resilient display, Sabalenka eventually triumphed over Anisimova with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6 (3), securing her second consecutive U.S. Open title and becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2012-2014 to achieve this feat at Flushing Meadows.
Anisimova, the No. 8 seed, praised Sabalenka’s work ethic and determination, highlighting the Belarusian player’s relentless pursuit of success. Sabalenka, now a four-time Grand Slam champion on hard courts, managed to avoid a third major final defeat in the same season, learning from her past experiences at the Australian Open and French Open earlier in the year.
Reflecting on her journey to victory, Sabalenka admitted, “After the Australian Open, I thought that the right way would be just to forget it and move on. But then the same thing happened at the French Open.” This introspection and learning process proved crucial in Sabalenka’s mental fortitude during the intense final match.
Despite Anisimova’s spirited efforts and the vocal support of the spectators, Sabalenka remained focused on her game plan to secure the win. The match showcased powerful exchanges between the two players, with Sabalenka’s strategic approach ultimately outshining Anisimova’s aggressive play.
In the end, Sabalenka’s resilience and ability to maintain control under pressure were key factors in her victory, as she overcame moments of uncertainty to clinch the prestigious title once again.