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Share<\/a><\/p>\n Right, it\u2019s time for me to take my leave, but we\u2019ll have Tumaini\u2019s match report on the site shortly. And then Daniel will be here for Alcaraz v Sinner tomorrow, the lucky chap. Many thanks as always for joining us. Bye!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka seems unsure whether to go for the cheque or the trophy. I think I\u2019d dive for the cheque, given it\u2019s for $5m, but she opts for the trophy. All of her four slam triumphs will feel special, of course, for different reasons, but I imagine this will be right up there, after a season of just missing out on the major titles. She felt as if she\u2019d let herself down in the French Open final against Gauff, not only during the match but what she said after it, but she showed real maturity today.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.26 EDT<\/p>\n Now here\u2019s the beaming victor, with her silver tracksuit top on. It\u2019s all a bit Back to the Future II. They just need to give her a hoverboard. But anyway, I digress. \u201cAll those tough lessons were worth this one,\u201d Sabalenka says. \u201cI want to say congrats Amanda for reaching back-to-back finals at the slams. I know how much it hurts, but trust me, you\u2019re going to win one. You\u2019ll enjoy it even more after these tough losses.\u201d<\/p>\n She\u2019s about to be given her trophy and winner\u2019s cheque, but she stops the ceremony because she\u2019s forgotten to thank her team – \u201cI love you, you\u2019re my family\u201d \u2013 and she apologises for how she\u2019s treated them in those two other slam finals this year. \u201cWorth it, right?\u201d she quips. She also thanks the outgoing tournament director Stacey Allaster and has got a word for the young tennis players in Belarus who are watching.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.29 EDT<\/p>\n Here comes the runner-up. \u201cIt\u2019s been a great summer, but losing in two finals in a row is also super hard. I didn\u2019t fight hard enough for my dreams,\u201d Anisimova says, heartbreakingly. \u201cI just want to say congrats to Aryna, you\u2019re so incredible, I\u2019m in awe of what you\u2019ve accomplished and you keep on achieving incredible things.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for everyone for coming out and supporting me at my home slam. It\u2019s been an incredible fortnight, it\u2019s always been a dream of mine to play in the final of the US Open. It\u2019s been a crazy journey.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.39 EDT<\/p>\n It\u2019s a fourth grand slam title overall for Sabalenka and she\u2019s the first player to successfully defend their US Open singles title since Serena Williams in 2014. Her record in her past six hard-court majors reads W\/F\/W\/W\/F\/W. It\u2019s almost Sinner-like.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka sinks to her knees and is crying, before Anisimova comes over to her side of the net to share an embrace. Sabalenka celebrates with her team. And now Anisimova is crying too. Her disappointment is, of course, understandable, but I hope she isn\u2019t too hard on herself. She played a good match \u2013 her level was higher than Sabalenka at times, but she was just too up and down. Sabalenka, meanwhile, had clearly learned from her two major final defeats this year and was able to maintain a state of equilibrium.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.06 EDT<\/p>\n Sabalenka beats Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (3) to win the US Open!<\/p>\n \u2026 credit to Sabalenka for the way she\u2019s put that missed overhead at 5-4 to the back of her mind. And she\u2019s nonchalantly hitting the balls back to Anisimova to serve, after setting up five championship points for 6-1. Anisimova\u2019s serve is too strong for Sabalenka on the first, Sabalenka tries to bury her return on the second \u2026 but overcooks her forehand. But now the third championship point is on her own serve, and Anisimova goes wide! It\u2019s back-to-back US Open titles for Sabalenka! After her season of what-ifs, she\u2019s finally got her hands on a slam trophy, banishing her demons from the Australian Open and French Open finals. For Anisimova, it\u2019s another defeat in a slam final, but after not turning up at Wimbledon, she more than played her part this time.<\/p>\n Photograph: Charly Triballeau\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.00 EDT<\/p>\n \u2026 and Anisimova doubles. Ach. That second serve didn\u2019t miss by much. But, anyhow, it\u2019s her fifth double fault of the set. So it\u2019s 4-1 Sabalenka \u2026 and 5-1 at the changeover after a snarling serve \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka is 20-1 in tie-breaks this year. That\u2019s phenomenal. Though Anisimova did come through a second-set tie-break against Osaka in their semi-final. Anisimova sends down an ace on the opening point \u2026 Sabalenka steadies herself for 1-1 and then 2-1, as the crowd are rebuked by the umpire for being too shouty. Who can blame them though? Sabalenka seizes the first mini-break for 3-1 \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 6-6 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: *Sabalenka 6-3, 5-6 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anisimova breaks: Sabalenka 6-3, 5-5 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Photograph: Yuki Iwamura\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.42 EDT<\/p>\n Second set: *Sabalenka 6-3, 5-4 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 5-3 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka breaks: *Sabalenka 6-3, 4-3 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anisimova breaks: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-3 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.29 EDT<\/p>\n Second set: *Sabalenka 6-3, 3-2 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.21 EDT<\/p>\n Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 3-1 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka breaks: *Sabalenka 6-3, 2-1 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: Sabalenka 6-3, 1-1 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Second set: *Sabalenka 6-3, 0-1 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Share<\/a>Share<\/a>Sabalenka wins the first set 6-3<\/p>\n You just don\u2019t know what to expect from Anisimova now. It\u2019s so hit and miss. But more misses than hits, as Sabalenka secures two set points at 40-15. Anisimova\u2019s forehand return flies into the tramlines and that\u2019s the end of a curious set, in which Anisimova fell behind, moved ahead and then fell apart in a flurry of errors. All Sabalenka needed to do was stay steady.<\/p>\n Sabalenka takes the first set. Photograph: Sarah Stier\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a017.18 EDT<\/p>\n Sabalenka breaks: *Sabalenka 5-3 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n First set: Sabalenka 4-3 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka breaks: *Sabalenka 3-3 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Photograph: Kevin Lamarque\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.52 EDT<\/p>\n Anisimova holds and then breaks: Sabalenka 2-3 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anisimova breaks: Sabalenka 2-1 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.39 EDT<\/p>\n Sabalenka breaks: *Sabalenka 2-0 Anisimova (*denotes next server) Share<\/a><\/p>\n First set: Sabalenka 1-0 Anisimova* (*denotes next server) Aryna Sabalenka in action. Photograph: Mike Segar\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.29 EDT<\/p>\n Anisimova admitted, after forcing herself to watch the highlights (or should that be lowlights) of the Wimbledon final that she was as \u201cslow as hell\u201d. Perhaps that\u2019s why she\u2019s wearing the brightest of red trainers today, to remind herself to keep her feet moving. Sabalenka, meanwhile, is dressed in white. You feel the start is more important for Anisimova given what happened in the Wimbledon final, but unfortunately for her, this game isn\u2019t on her racket, because Sabalenka is serving. Sabalenka moves 30-0 ahead before Anisimova shows everyone why her backhand is one of the best in the business, smoking the sideline with a winner. And then it\u2019s 30-all. And Sabalenka double faults!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Apparently Sabalenka looked a little stressed in her practice earlier; she knows the pressure is on. But she seems more comfortable during the warm-up. They\u2019re almost good to go.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n A spine-tingling moment as they make their entrance, the sound of the New York crowd magnified by the roof. It has to be said the welcome for Sabalenka was nearly as loud as that for Anisimova, despite Anisimova being the home player.<\/p>\n Photograph: Frank Franklin\/AP Photograph: Mike Segar\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.20 EDT<\/p>\n Mary Joe-Fernandez has grabbed both players for a quick pre-match chat. Which seems a bit mean when they\u2019ve got a grand slam final to focus on.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m feeling very confident, playing at my home slam is very special,\u201d says Anisimova. \u201cI\u2019m super excited and I\u2019m sure the crowd will be backing me.\u201d<\/p>\n As for Sabalenka, she says: \u201cIt means a lot [to defend my title]. I\u2019m living my dream life and I\u2019m ready to do everything possible to get this win. For me it\u2019s important to focus on myself and never doubt my shots and go for it.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDespite being the clear favourite in terms of ranking and prior experience, Sabalenka faces a stern test in Anisimova,\u201d emails Gavriella Epstein-Lightman. \u201cFew can match Sabalenka from the baseline – her pummelling groundstrokes, consistently deep, push many players into perennial defence. Yet Anisimova is one of a select coterie of players who possesses the purity of ballstrike and power off both forehand and backhand wings. She is no counterpuncher and won\u2019t be easily cowed. If Anisimova can hold her nerve, this could be tight.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI just hope it\u2019s a good match,\u201d Martina Navratilova says on Sky when asked for her prediction. \u201cBut I have to go with Sabalenka \u2013 at her best she\u2019s the better player.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n First we\u2019ll hear America the Beautiful, sung by Brittney Spencer. 24,000 fans fall silent. The roof is still shut, which is only adding to the atmosphere.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka is now throwing a giant ball about, while doing a good job of ignoring Anisimova, who\u2019s only a few metres away from her. If Sabalenka can see the ball that big when she gets on to court, she\u2019ll be unbeatable. They should be out very shortly.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Do remember you can get in touch<\/a> with your predictions too. It\u2019s always good to hear from you.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n So who wins? Erm, I\u2019m really undecided. Sabalenka has the greater experience; Anisimova has the crowd. You could argue that Sabalenka has the bigger pressure being the world No 1 and defending champ; but there\u2019s also huge pressure on Anisimova to give a better account of herself than she did in the Wimbledon final. But if Sabalenka keeps her emotions in check, she has the edge.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The players are still warming up backstage, both being pulled around on giant resistance bands, so we\u2019ve got time to talk tactics. Sabalenka and Anisimova are two of the biggest ball-strikers in the game \u2013 and Anisimova\u2019s two-handed backhand in particular can be devastating \u2013 so this will be first-strike tennis, even though Sabalenka has learned in recent years how to throw in some drop shots and forays to the net too. But their fearsome hitting is mixed with mental vulnerabilities. Anisimova can freeze (the Wimbledon final, of course, being the most extreme example) \u2013 while Sabalenka can let her emotions boil over. This will most likely come down to who handles the occasion better.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Stat attack. Sabalenka is the first woman to reach the Australian and US Opens finals for three consecutive years since Martina Hingis in 1999, as well as the first to make three major singles finals in a calendar year since Serena Williams in 2016. Anisimova is the youngest woman to reach the Wimbledon and US Open finals in a season since Serena and Venus in 2002.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Anisimova says:<\/p>\n I\u2019ve worked really hard, especially on my mental game and not giving up. When I was at Wimbledon, every single match was a surprise to me. I was shocked with every match that I won. But here it feels more I believe in myself, and I\u2019m able to do it. I think I have really shifted with my attitude.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sabalenka says:<\/p>\n I\u2019m super excited to give myself another opportunity, another final. If I\u2019ll be able to hold that trophy, it\u2019s going to mean a lot for me. I\u2019ll be just the happiest person on earth probably.<\/p>\n I felt like in that match [against Anisimova] at Wimby, I was doubting a lot my decisions. That was the main thing that was bringing a lot of unforced errors. I feel like I had my opportunities, I didn\u2019t use them. The key for me is going to be just go out there, obviously fight, but trust my decisions and go after my shots.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Road to the final. Not only has Anisimova beaten Swiatek this tournament, she also came back from a set down to defeat another grand slam champion in Naomi Osaka in their semi-final. Sabalenka\u2019s path has been easier, especially after Marketa Vondrousova withdrew before their quarter-final, but she also came from behind in the last four to see off Jessica Pegula, which was a rematch of last year\u2019s final.<\/p>\n Sabalenka Anisimova Share<\/a><\/p>\n Tale of the tape<\/p>\n Sabalenka \u2013 Anisimova Share<\/a><\/p>\n His interview with Anisimova from back in May, in which she talks about the mental health break she took from tennis in 2023, is well worth a look too, if you haven\u2019t already read it:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile: I\u2019ve just eaten an obscene amount of sushi and am feeling a little sluggish. So here\u2019s Tumaini\u2019s excellent preview to keep you going while I recover:<\/p>\n Amanda Anisimova was struggling to maintain her composure in the days leading up to the final grand slam tournament of the year. As the American braced herself for her first round match, her high expectations became a source of significant stress. In hindsight, this was nothing out of the ordinary. \u201cI think most players are putting a lot of pressure on themselves and those few days before the tournament are pretty stressful, just the anticipation of it,\u201d she said after reaching round three. \u201cI feel it was natural for me to feel that way.\u201d<\/p>\n However, the circumstances surrounding Anisimova on the eve of the US Open made her situation unique. The last time she appeared at a grand slam, Anisimova was beaten 6-0, 6-0 in the Wimbledon final<\/a> by Iga Swiatek. Wimbledon had represented a long-awaited breakthrough after years of unfulfilled promise and under most circumstances it would have only signified a positive step forward in her career, but by the end of her excruciating day<\/a> on Centre Court it was hard not to wonder if such a humiliating moment might completely derail her progress.<\/p>\n For that reason, Anisimova\u2019s handling of those challenges has been nothing short of remarkable. At the next grand slam tournament, her earliest possible opportunity, the 24-year-old has given herself another shot at competing for a grand slam title again as she faces Aryna Sabalenka<\/a>, the world No 1 and defending champion, on home soil in the US Open final on Saturday.<\/p>\n Anisimova\u2019s talent has never been in doubt. She is one of the cleanest, most destructive ball strikers on the tour, blessed with peerless timing and technique that allows her to take the ball so early, change directions at will and generate immense pace off both ground strokes, particularly her extraordinary two-handed backhand.<\/p>\n Those skills were evident in her last few matches, which have been an exhibition in devastating offensive shotmaking. In her win over Swiatek<\/a>, she constantly robbed time from the Pole\u2019s offensive weapons. Despite her early nerves a day later against Naomi Osaka<\/a>, it was remarkable how she turned the match around, dominating another of the biggest hitters in the game from the baseline. Even as they neared 1am after nearly three hours on the court, her hands remained steady during the decisive moments at the end and she never stopped attacking.<\/p>\n You can read the rest here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Just after the match finished, along came thunder, lightning and torrential rain, just to add to the tension before the women\u2019s final. At least Arthur Ashe has a roof. So this match will feel more like a night match, even though it gets under way at about 4pm in New York.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Already today, Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski have fallen agonisingly short in their attempt to become the first all-British pair since 1903 to win the men\u2019s doubles title. They had three match points in the third set, before being edged out 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 by Spain\u2019s Marcel Granollers and Argentina\u2019s Horacio Zeballos, who also won the French Open title together this year. And look who\u2019s celebrating:<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Tennis, bloody hell. 56 days ago Amanda Anisimova was whitewashed in the Wimbledon final 6-0, 6-0 by Iga Swiatek as she froze in the headlights in the biggest match of her life. It was the most public and painful of humiliations from which most of us, if put in the same position, would not recover, let alone have the character to return to the tour less than three weeks later as she started her preparations for the US Open.<\/p>\n And now here the 24-year-old is in the final of her home grand slam, having gained the sweetest of revenge against Swiatek in the quarter-finals, and she\u2019ll be fortified by the knowledge she can beat Aryna Sabalenka<\/a> when it matters, having defeated the Belarusian in three sets in their Wimbledon semi-final. Get the better of Sabalenka again and Anisimova\u2019s redemption story would rank among the greatest in tennis, along with Jana Novotna winning Wimbledon in 1998 after heartbreak five years earlier, Jennifer Capriati going to hell and back before finally becoming a major champion in 2001 and Andre Agassi returning from the tennis wilderness to claim his career slam in 1999. And doing it in New York, not far from where Anisimova was born in New Jersey, would add a shine that not even Broadway could make up.<\/p>\n But Sabalenka is in the slightly curious position of needing to prove herself too, despite being the defending champion, world No 1 and top seed. She\u2019s got her own ghosts of grand slams past to banish, having also let her emotions get the better of her in the crucial moments this year. After losing to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final, Coco Gauff in the French Open final and Anisimova in that Wimbledon semi, this match represents her last chance to end a year of what-ifs with a significant triumph.<\/p>\n So both want their own form of redemption \u00ad\u2013 and Sabalenka probably wants a bit of revenge too. If I could, I\u2019d call the two of them as the US Open champion \u2013 Sabalenka arguably deserves a slam for her efforts this year, but who would deny Anisimova such a heartwarming comeback for the ages? \u2013 but alas, that\u2019s not possible. So let\u2019s just hope, for both their sakes, that this time these huge hitters can show courage and composure every bit as big as their shots.<\/p>\n The players will arrive at about: 4pm New York time\/9pm BST.<\/p>\n In the meantime: here\u2019s a trip down memory lane:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A net cord distracts Anisimova on the opening point. Sabalenka strikes long on the second. 15-all turns into 30-15, and Sablenka pulls off a classic one-two punch for 40-15. Anisimova then nets her return. A steely hold from Sabalenka.<\/p>\n
But every time Anisimova seems to have got herself back into this match, she has faltered. Will this be any different? Yes, because she holds to 30, despite a double fault! Having been two points from defeat, Anisimova is now on top. She even allows herself a smile at the changeover. She knows at the very least she\u2019s got herself a tie-break.<\/p>\n
So, after two grand slam final defeats this year, can Sabalenka get the job done? She starts how she doesn\u2019t mean to go on, as Anisimova attacks her serve and is rewarded for that bravery. Another slightly safe serve and Anisimova is all over that too! 0-30. This time a gutsy second serve saves Sabalenka, cue her biggest roar of the match so far. She\u2019s willing herself over the line. And then hitting herself over the line, when she fizzes a forehand winner. 30-all. Will it be break point or match point? It looks for all of Arthur Ashe as though it\u2019ll be match point \u2026 but Sabalenka mis-times her smash, jumping far too early, and whacks into the net! P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E. And Anisimova strikes with a forehand down the line! This match isn\u2019t over yet.<\/p>\n
Perhaps now the pressure is almost off, Anisimova will swing more freely again. Which is exactly how this game plays out. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0. Well, how it starts to play out. Because Sabalenka smacks down a smash for 40-15. And then hits a beautiful backhand return, which sets up the point for her. 40-30. But Anisimova survives from there. Sabalenka, though, is just 90 seconds away from serving for her second US Open title.<\/p>\n
A no-fuss, quicker than quick hold from Sabalenka to 15. Anisimova will serve to stay in this.<\/p>\n
But then Anisimova gets in on the double fault act, slipping to 15-30 and then 15-40 with a loose forehand error. Sabalenka\u2019s return then rocks Anisimova, who can\u2019t get the ball back. She\u2019s been all over Anisimova\u2019s second serve today. Just as in the first set, Anisimova has worked so hard to haul herself level, but then it gets away from her in the blink of an eye. She\u2019ll be kicking herself. Sabalenka is two games away from retaining her title.<\/p>\n
Some of the celebrities in the house are shown on the big screen at the changeover. No signs of any marriage proposals yet though, after someone proposed in the crowd during Sabalenka\u2019s third-round win over Leylah Fernandez. Which led to this exchange on Sky Sports. Awkward<\/a>. But back to more immediate matters, because Anisimova has whipped the crowd into a New York frenzy with a one-two punch for 0-15 on Sabalenka\u2019s serve. Which develops into 0-30. And then 0-40, when Sabalenka double faults! Well, well. Now it\u2019s the defending champ who\u2019s feeling the nerves. And Anisimova breaks with another one of those trademark backhands! She\u2019s right back in it! And Arthur Ashe erupts!<\/p>\n
Anisimova reminds Sabalenka that she hasn\u2019t totally gone away, with a backhand winner. But from 30-15, she snatches at her shot and nets. She\u2019s chattering and chuntering to herself and doesn\u2019t look as if she believes she can turn this around. But Sabalenka then morphs into Anisimova, going for broke, and missing. 40-15. Game, when Sabalenka tamely nets.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe just doesn\u2019t know whether to hit harder or softer, because her normal game isn\u2019t working,\u201d says Navratilova of the quandary Anisimova now finds herself in. And Sabalenka bosses another service game, getting to 40-15 before scooping a wonderful backhand cross-court, and Anisimova isn\u2019t getting that back into play. The break is consolidated.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka gets her biggest cheer of the night when, defending for her life, scurrying left and right and left and right at the baseline and then forward to the drop shot, out drop shots Anisimova to reach 0-30! The camera pans in on Courteney Cox, who\u2019s voicing her approval. And Sabalenka goes on to break with a backhand winner! Sabalenka has weathered that mid-first-set storm from Anisimova and is now firmly in control.<\/p>\n
Another chat between the umpire and Anisimova at the change of ends. The umpire says nothing can be done and it\u2019s been the same all week. Anisimova\u2019s reply? \u201cThat\u2019s ridiculous.\u201d She needs to refocus. And for the first time in this final, Sabalenka holds to love. Anisimova has come from a set down this fortnight already, by the way, against Osaka in the semi-finals, ending a three-year, eight-match losing streak after losing the first set at a grand slam. But doing so against Sabalenka is another matter entirely.<\/p>\n
Anisimova is now complaining to the umpire; I think it\u2019s to do with the lights affecting her ball toss. I can\u2019t see how anything will change, though. She needs to get it out of her mind and reset. And show more patience than she did in that opening set, when she hit 15 unforced errors to Sabalenka\u2019s four. She seems poised to do that when she advances to 40-30, but then here\u2019s a wobbly double and it\u2019s deuce. Advantage Anisimova. Then another double. She looks up again at the closed roof and shakes her head. But it\u2019s the same for both players. Deuce. Advantage Anisimova. Deuce. Advantage Anisimova. Game Anisimova. A crucial hold.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnisimova is Alcaraz and Sabalenka is Sinner,\u201d notes Patrick Mouratoglou, the former coach of Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams, on social media. \u201cThe first one taking a lot of risks and making the winners and the unforced, the second one putting a lot of intensity and consistency.\u201d Anisimova, perhaps now feeling the scoreboard pressure in this set, coughs up two double faults to give Sabalenka 15-40. If Sabalenka takes one of these break points she\u2019ll be serving for the first. And a wild and wayward low-percentage backhand means Anisimova concedes another break. Cue the sound of silence.<\/p>\n
Looking at the stats, Sabalenka will be encouraged by the fact that she\u2019s only hit three winners so far but is still somehow on level terms; the defending champion will feel she\u2019s got another gear to get to. At 40-30, she then nearly takes Anisimova out with an errant 115mph body serve \u2013 that\u2019s one way to down the American \u2013 and apologises. She lands her second serve and holds from there.<\/p>\n
But Anisimova, suddenly, loses focus. 0-15, 0-30, 0-40. She looks to the skies. Or more accurately the roof. She knows Sabalenka hasn\u2019t done much to earn these three break points; she handed them to the Belarusian. And a fourth error gift wraps the game.<\/p>\n
Now that Anisimova has secured her first game, this final can really start. And the American holds fairly confidently to 30. She\u2019s already hit 10 winners to Sabalenka\u2019s three; it\u2019s not often you say that in a match featuring the world No 1. Another colossal hit \u2013 this one on the forehand \u2013 and Anisimova is hitting Sabalenka off the court. She\u2019s got another break point. And a brilliant return from Anisimova forces Sabalenka to hit long! From 2-0 down, Anisimova leads 3-2. This is the Anisimova we saw against Swiatek in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Anisimova shows courage under fire to get to 30-all from 30-0 down. And that backhand down the line gets her a break-back point! Anisimova is bossing the break point, with Sabalenka screaming and crouching as she desperately attempts to withstand the barrage, but Anisimova eventually finds a way through her with a forehand winner! Cue the loudest cheer of the match so far. Anisimova isn\u2019t celebrating though, she\u2019s keeping her emotions in check. She\u2019s not only on the board for the first time in a grand slam final, she\u2019s also back on serve.<\/p>\n
That opening game showed Anisimova has confidence in this match-up. She actually leads the head-to-head 6-3, including that most recent meeting in the Wimbledon semi-finals, though Sabalenka did beat Anisimova in the French Open fourth round in June. From 30-all, Anisimova pushes her backhand wide, and now it\u2019s Sabalenka\u2019s turn for a break point. The pair trade backhands on the break point, before Sabalenka mixes it up, and Anisimova hits well beyond the baseline. Sabalenka has the break \u2026 and you wouldn\u2019t blame Anisimova for wondering if this is now going the way of the Wimbledon. But she needs to keep her head up; it could easily have been 1-1.<\/p>\n
An early break point for Anisimova. Already she\u2019s done more than she did in the entire Wimbledon final. Sabalenka saves herself with a smart kick serve, but Anisimova crushes another winner for a second break point. A big serve rescues Sabalenka once more, but here\u2019s a third bp. And it\u2019s a similar story as Sabalenka\u2019s serve dismisses the danger. And Sabalenka secures the next two points for the hold. A promising start from Anisimova, nonetheless.<\/p>\n
First round def Rebeka Masarova 7-5, 6-1
Second round def Polina Kudermetova 7-6, 6-2
Third round def Leylah Fernandez (31) 6-3, 7-6
Fourth round def Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-4
Quarter-final walkover against Marketa Vondrousova
Semi-final def Jessica Pegula (4) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4<\/p>\n
First round def Kimberly Birrell 6-3, 6-2
Second round def Maya Joint 7-6, 6-2
Third round def Jaqueline Cristian 6-4, 4-6. 6-2
Fourth round def Beatriz Haddad Maia (18) 6-0, 6-3
Quarter-final def Iga Swiatek (2) 6-4, 6-3
Semi-final def Naomi Osaka (23) 6-7, 7-6, 6-3<\/p>\n
27 Age 24
1 Seeding 8
1 World ranking 9
3 Grand slam titles 0
7 Grand slam finals 2
20 Singles titles 3
3 Head-to-head 6<\/p>\n