Andy Roddick knows the exact shot that secured Aryna Sabalenka her second US Open title against Amanda Anisimova.
Sabalenka loved playing in front of the US Open crowd as she defeated the likes of Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula.
The World No. 1 became the first player since 2014 to secure back-to-back US Open titles, and Sabalenka was even congratulated by Andre Agassi.
Sabalenka rushed to a straight-sets victory over Anisimova in the final, and former pro Andy Roddick has revealed the shot that he believes helped her win the tournament.
Andy Roddick was stunned by Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘super clutch’ shot
Roddick was watching the Women’s US Open final with an eager eye and couldn’t believe what he saw from Sabalenka.
“The shot that won her this match, that set the pattern and let Anisimova know what she couldn’t get away with was when Anisimova went big ad side return, straight through the middle,” said Roddick on Served.
“It’s like if you are trying to throw a 7/10 split, and you work outside to in, she would hit that shape straight away to the open court to get Anisimova on the ball. It’s not a flat ball, it’s one which she spun to her forehand.”
Roddick believes the shot was so important due to the timing that it was hit by the 2025 US Open champion.
She hit it six or seven times in super clutch moments,” continued Roddick. “It’s 15-30 or 30-15 when the pressure is on. That was the silencer.”
Sabalenka defeated the American 6-3, 7-6 to lift the US Open trophy for the second time in as many years.
The US Open-winning shot shows Aryna Sabalenka’s growth
Sabalenka’s growth from a doubles specialist to one of the best singles players in the world is an incredible sight to see, and Roddick believes she’s only getting better.
Still explaining the incredible shot that gave her the upper hand against Anisimova, the former World No. 1 said: “That ball is a shot which I don’t think she had three years ago.
“I don’t know if she has worked on that specifically or was a game plan, but Anisimova would hit the backhand down the middle, and Sabalenka would hit it not flat, with margin, and get her moving right away.”
Sabalenka bolstered her position at the top of the WTA Tour with a 3000+ lead over World No. 2, Iga Swiatek.
