Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka overcame some second-set stumbles to win the match-ending tiebreaker and repeat as U.S. Open champion with a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory over eighth-seeded Amanda Anisimova on Saturday in New York.
The 94-minute major victory is the fourth of Sabalenka’s career. She is the first woman to repeat as U.S. Open champion since Serena Williams won three straight from 2012-14.
The moment was surreal for Sabalenka, who also picked up her 100th career major victory in the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“You have to enjoy it,” Sabalenka said. “I put in the hard work. … I think tomorrow I will be able to go through everything and realize what just happened.”
Sabalenka of Belarus also has two Australian Open titles on the ledger.
Sabalenka converted 5 of 6 break points and had 13 winners against 15 unforced errors.
“I think the key was to not let her go for her shots,” Sabalenka said of Anisimova. “I was trying to play more through her body and make her work for it.”
Anisimova was playing in her second career major final, both coming this year. She lost 6-0, 6-0 to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon.
Anisimova had 22 winners and 29 unforced errors.
“It’s been a great summer,” Anisimova said. “Losing in two finals in a row is great but it’s also super hard. I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today.”
Facing Sabalenka in a tiebreaker is becoming a tennis nightmare.
Saturday’s win was her 19th straight in tiebreaks, an Open-era record (1968) for men or women. Andy Roddick won 18 straight in 2007.
“Before the tiebreak started, I said ‘at some point, you’re going to lose one,’ ” Sabalenka said. “Is it like this time? I was trying to switch my focus and hope that this was not the time.”
This one was tied at 1-1 before Sabalenka won the next five points. A double fault by Anisimova gave Sabalenka a 4-1 advantage and the American next hit Sabalenka’s serve into the net.
Sabalenka followed with a forehand winner for a 6-1 lead before eventually closing it out on her third match point.
A highly disappointed Anisimova tipped her hat to Sabalenka, who has now won 21 tournaments at age 27.
“I wanna say congrats to Aryna. You are so incredible,” Anisimova said. “I know I have to face you all the time. But I’m in awe of what you’ve accomplished. You keep achieving so many incredible things.”
Sabalenka was equally impressed what Aninisova has accomplished. The 24-year-old was away from the sport for nearly seven months in 2023 due to mental health reasons and now is playing better than ever.
“I know how much it hurts losing in the final but trust me the moment you win the first one …,” Sabalenka said to Anisimova during the ceremony. “You’re going to win (one), you’re playing incredible tennis. …
“You’re going to enjoy it even more after these tough losses in the final.”
Anisimova won three straight games in the opening set to take a 3-2 lead before Sabalenka won the final four games of the set.
The second set was tied at 3 before Sabalenka won two straight games to move close to the finish line. Anisimova held her serve in the next game to move within 5-4.
In the ensuing game, Sabalenka was two points away from winning when she had an open-court slam opportunity that she hit into the net.
Anisimova took the gift and won the next point to tie the set at 5. She then won the following game to take a 6-5 lead before Sabalenka rallied to force a tiebreaker.
Though Sabalenka is the No. 1 player in the world, this was the only major championship she won this year. She lost in the Australian Open and French Open finals and was upset by Anisimova in the Wimbledon semifinals.
“I had two finals where I lost my emotions and I didn’t want it to happen again,” Sabalenka said. “There were a few moments where I was close and I said, ‘You can’t do that, stay focused, keep trying.’”
–Field Level Media
