NEW YORK — Aryna Sabalenka secured her second consecutive U.S. Open title on Saturday, defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the final. With this victory, Sabalenka became the first woman to win the tournament in back-to-back years since Serena Williams did so over a decade ago. The win also marked the fourth Grand Slam title of Sabalenka's career, all of which have come on hard courts.

Despite her strong performance, the match was not without its challenges. Sabalenka led by a break twice in the second set and had a chance to serve for the match at 5-4. However, she faltered at a critical moment, missing an overhead shot that allowed Anisimova to break back and tie the set at 5-all. The crowd of approximately 24,000 at Arthur Ashe Stadium erupted in support of Anisimova, a 24-year-old American.

After the missed opportunity, Sabalenka dropped her racket in frustration but quickly regained her composure. Fifteen minutes later, she clinched the match on her third match point, extending her impressive record to 21-1 in tiebreakers this year. This victory also allowed her to avoid becoming the first woman to lose three major finals in a single season since Justine Henin in 2006.

Sabalenka, 27, had previously been the runner-up at the Australian Open and the French Open earlier this year. She was eliminated by Anisimova in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, which led to Anisimova's first major final appearance, where she lost to Iga Swiatek.

Anisimova reflected on her journey, stating, "Losing in two finals in a row is great, but then it’s also super hard. I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today." Sabalenka offered words of encouragement, telling Anisimova, "I know how much it hurts losing in the finals, but trust me ... you’re going to win (one). ... Girl, you’re going to enjoy it even more after these tough losses in the finals."

The match began with Anisimova trailing 2-0, 30-love, but she quickly turned the tide, winning four consecutive points to break back. The match was played under the retractable roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium due to rain, creating windless conditions that favored both players' powerful styles. The exchanges were intense, with both players showcasing their aggressive play and shot-making abilities.

By the end of the match, Anisimova had nearly double the number of winners compared to Sabalenka, with 22 to 13, but also had more unforced errors, totaling 29 compared to Sabalenka's 15. During the trophy ceremony, Anisimova praised Sabalenka, saying, "You are so incredible. I’m in awe of what you’ve accomplished, and you keep on achieving so many incredible things."

Sabalenka's victory solidifies her status as one of the top players in women's tennis, while Anisimova's performance indicates her potential for future success.