Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka secures a consecutive championship victory
Aryna Sabalenka, the 27-year-old Belarusian tennis star, has claimed her fourth Grand Slam title, winning the US Open final against Amanda Anisimova with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (3).
The match, which started under rainy conditions, saw Sabalenka capitalise on windless conditions that favour power play. The retractable roof was closed, and the stadium lights were turned on, setting the stage for an intense battle.
Anisimova, coached by Francisco Roig, who previously worked with Sabalenka in two Grand Slam finals, showed resilience from the outset. She went up 3-2 in the first set but lost the next four games and the set to Sabalenka.
The first set was not without drama. Anisimova came back from a 0-2 deficit, and Sabalenka led twice by a break in the second set. However, Sabalenka's consistency shone through as she won 21 of her 22 deciding games this season, including the last 19.
Anisimova's team signalled to her during serve tosses that something was bothering her due to the rainy conditions. Despite this, she almost had twice as many winning shots as Sabalenka (22-13) during the match. However, Anisimova's service woes were evident, as she had almost twice as many double faults as Sabalenka (29-15) in the game.
The decisive moment came when Sabalenka converted her third match point, securing the victory. The remaining 12 points were due to Anisimova's six double faults and six forced errors.
Sabalenka's win not only secured her back-to-back US Open titles but also prevented her from becoming the first woman to lose three major finals in a single season since Justine Henin in 2006. Moreover, Sabalenka is the first woman to win the US Open two years in a row since Serena Williams over a decade ago.
This victory marks an incredible turnaround for Sabalenka, who lost in the first round of the Australian Open and the French Open this year. Her triumph at the US Open final against Anisimova, who reached her first major final, is a testament to her determination and skill on the court.
