Aryna Sabalenka avoids meltdown to claim US Open | Sports News

Aryna Sabalenka narrowly averted a second-set meltdown to defend her US Open title in opposition to home crowd favourite Amanda Anisimova inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. The world No. 1 took the primary set 6-3 and seemed in control of the second and honing in on a second consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.

Sabalenka was one service recreation away from victory earlier than the 27-year-old left the door open for Anisimova to break her serve and delay her defeat. After forcing Sabalenka’s hand, Anisimova, who misplaced the 2025 Wimbledon last by way of a double bagel to Iga Swiatek, stalled within the tiebreak, with hopes of a third and last set on the road.

Sabalenka gained the title 7-3 within the tiebreak, a straight-set 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) win. The Belarusian popping out on prime in a tense tiebreak was her nineteenth consecutive in such a setting – probably the most consecutive tiebreak wins from any lady within the Open period.

It is Sabalenka’s first main title of 2025, after shedding the Australian Open and Roland-Garros finals to Americans Madison Keys and Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka will even maintain onto the world No. 1 spot following Swiatek’s exit in opposition to finalist Anisimova earlier on within the event. Anything previous the quarterfinals and prime spot was hers.

Sabalenka cut a calmer determine all through the ultimate after her feelings acquired the higher of her within the semis in opposition to Jessica Pegula. In the Final Four conflict, Sabalenka threw her racket to the ground as she continued to battle Pegula, whom she beat in final 12 months’s finale, for a spot within the last.

“I was super emotional. I was just, like, Oh, my gosh, no way it’s happening. Please, just close this match,” she mentioned about her feelings spilling over in opposition to Pegula. “Of course I was emotional, and then there was another kind of, like, easy shot that I — not that I missed, but I didn’t make the right decision.

“The complete match I simply keep telling myself, into the subsequent one, only one step at a time, don’t be concerned in regards to the previous. Just attempt higher within the subsequent level.”

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The messaging Sabalenka gave herself paid dividends in the end. “All these powerful classes have been price this one, “Sabalenka says.

Sabalenka then paid tribute to Anisimova, telling the American her day in the Sun will come. “I would like to say congrats, Amanda, for reaching back-to-back finals on the slams. I do know how a lot it hurts, however trust me, you are going to win one. You’ll take pleasure in it even more after these powerful losses.”