World number one Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her US Open title on Saturday, defeating American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3) in a hard-fought women’s final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Belarusian captured her fourth Grand Slam crown and became the first woman to win back-to-back US Opens since Serena Williams, who claimed three in a row from 2012 to 2014.
In a match dominated by power hitting, Sabalenka kept her errors to a minimum, committing just 15 unforced mistakes compared to Anisimova’s 29. She clinched victory with an unreturnable serve before celebrating with her team.
“I want to thank everyone who came here, who flew in to be there in my box,” Sabalenka said after the win. “I’m going to reach a lot more finals and I don’t care where you are in the world, I want you in my box.”
For Anisimova, it was a second straight Grand Slam final defeat, following her loss at Wimbledon in July. Fighting back tears, the 24-year-old admitted the outcome was difficult: “It’s been a great summer, losing in two finals in a row is great but it’s also super hard. I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today.”
