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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her US Open crown with a commanding 6-3 7-6(3) win over Amanda Anisimova, earning $5 million as the champion. After falling short in two Grand Slam finals earlier this season, Sabalenka captured her fourth major title, denying Anisimova a breakthrough first.
The top-seeded Sabalenka fended off three break points in the opening game before breaking Anisimova to seize a 2-0 lead. Anisimova, who had suffered a double bagel in her maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon earlier this year, finally shook off her nerves and got on the board, stringing together three straight games for a 3-2 advantage. But Sabalenka responded with a love break to level at 3-3 and never looked back, reeling off four consecutive games and sealing the set 6-3 on her first opportunity.
The defending champion surged to a 3-1 lead in the second set, but Anisimova struck back with a love break to level at 3-3. The American’s revival was brief, as Sabalenka broke again to regain control. Yet, eighth seed refused to fold! At 5-3, Sabalenka came within two points of victory, but a daring lob from Anisimova and a mishit smash from the top seed turned the moment around. Anisimova seized her chance, winning three straight games from 3-5 down to 6-5 and swinging the momentum her way. Ultimately, the set fittingly went to a tiebreak, where Sabalenka stamped her authority, cruising through to seal the title.
For Anisimova, it was another tough defeat on the big stage, though a far stronger showing than her lopsided loss in the Wimbledon final. There’s consolation to be found: when the new WTA rankings are published, the world No. 9 will break into the Top 5 for the first time in her career.
On her way to the title, Sabalenka overcame Rebeka Masarova in the first round, Polina Kudermetova in the second, 31st seed Leylah Fernandez in the third, Cristina Bucsa in the fourth, and Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals via walkover. She then defeated fourth seed Jessica Pegula in the semifinals before topping eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in the final.
Sabalenka’s winning equipment: the Nike Fall Slam 2 Dress, Wilson Blade 98 16×19 v9 Fighter racquet, and customized Nike Zoom Vapor 12 shoes.
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