Aryna Sabalenka, the World No. 1, lost the Australian Open Final to Madison Keys, the French Open Final to Coco Gauff, and the Wimbledon Semi-Final to Anisimova. With the close losses notwithstanding, she eventually came good in the last grand slam of the year and deservedly emerged victorious. In the process, Sabalenka avenged her Wimbledon loss too.
There is no doubt that Sabalenka had the edge over Anisimova going into the US Open Final. Looking much fitter, much more focused and in much more control of her emotions, she was going to be difficult to beat.
Sabalenka started well, and before Anisimova could settle in the game, she was already ahead in the first set, which she won 6-3. In the second set too, she was serving at 5-4 for the match, when Anisimova sprang to life. The American broke Sabalenka and pushed the set into a tie-breaker. However, Sabalenka showed her mental toughness, remained firm, and though she lost a couple of match points, she eventually won the tie-break 6-3 to win the set and the Championship.
Anisimova appeared a bit jaded. The long tournament had taken a lot out of her, both physically and emotionally, as she struggled to keep pace with Sabalenka. Her 7 double faults just did not help either, and her first serve percentage was a lowly 56℅. Sabalenka pounced on her second serves and won 52% of the points on them. The defending Champion served much better and was less error-prone as compared to her American opponent.
Anisimova did manage a late resurgence and had she won the tie-break, the match could have taken a different turn. But Sabalenka, with her experience, just shut the match off, to secure her 2nd US Open and 4th Grand Slam overall. But the American had a great tournament and reached her second consecutive Grand Slam to cap a great year for her.
Sabalenka let her emotions flow. She had been on the receiving end of the whole year. There was joy and relief on her face. Her team was as ecstatic as one could be. The hard work had eventually gotten them a major trophy this year.
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