For the second consecutive year in a major final, Aryna Sabalenka has played the role of spoiler, dashing the Grand Slam dreams of an American opponent on home soil. Her 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory over Amanda Anisimova in the US Open final was a display of clinical tennis in the face of a fiercely partisan crowd.
Last year, it was Coco Gauff in the French Open final. This year, Amanda Anisimova carried the hopes of the New York crowd, who cheered her every move and willed her to stage a comeback. The atmosphere was electric, particularly when Anisimova broke back to even the second set, but Sabalenka was unmoved.
The World No. 1 has developed a knack for thriving in these hostile environments. She channels the crowd’s energy not as a distraction, but as fuel for her focus. Her performance was a masterclass in blocking out the noise and concentrating solely on the task at hand.
While the result was a disappointment for the home fans, it was another confirmation of Sabalenka’s status as the world’s best. She has proven that no matter the opponent or the location, she has the power and the poise to come out on top.
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