Aryna Sabalenka has successfully defended her US Open title, having beaten Amanda Anisimova in straight sets earlier this evening.
It was a remarkable performance from the Belarusian, who is not famed for her defence.
Alas, she was smart and tactical, soaking up the power of her opponent and limiting her errors throughout.
Aryna Sabalenka revealed her game plan afterwards, which was lauded by Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill.
Aryna Sabalenka reveals her US Open final game plan vs Amanda Anisimova
Speaking live on ESPN with their panel, she first explained how her mistakes of the past helped inform her self-control and solidity tonight.
Sabalenka claimed: “Yeah, the other two finals I completely lost control over my emotions. I just didn’t want this to happen again, and there was a few moments where I was like, this close to, you know, to just let it go, but I was like, ‘Come on, now, you cannot do that. You just have to stay focused and keep going, keep trying.’And it’s really helped me.
“I think I have to keep the same mindset every time I’m in the final, I mean, hopefully I’m going to make many more finals, I have to stick to the same plan.”
Then, expanding on her emotions, she continued: “I feel crazy. You know, I want to laugh, I want to scream, I want to cry at the same time. So many things going through my mind, but I definitely feel like the happiest person on Earth right now. That’s all that matters.”
Sabalenka concluded by revealing her game plan: “Yeah, I think that was the key, to let her go for her shots.
“I was trying to kind of like make her work for it and yeah, and the key was just to go for my shots because I felt like in the last match we played, because she played really aggressive and I was always stopping my arms and I was just giving her so much time so she could go from her shots, and then I’m the one who was moving and today I was just trying to, you know, whatever shots she was giving me, I was trying to give it back to her and like kind of like always push her on the back foot and then open and up the court.”
Elsewhere, Patrick McEnroe offered Anisimova some advice, insisting that she was not far from winning these elite titles.
Chris Evert sends heartfelt message to Aryna Sabalenka
Naturally, it was a hugely emotional moment when Sabalenka converted her match point.
She dropped to her knees and stayed there for some time, with the tears flowing after what had been an arduous year for the 27-year-old.
Having reached three Grand Slam finals and a further semi-final, she has been hugely consistent, but unable to convert. Until tonight, defending her US Open crown.
Chris Evert was one of many who were keen to outline their pride, as she also stated on ESPN: “But a great role model for young girls, what a great symbol for women’s tennis. She empowers herself. She’s strong, she’s emotional. She says it like it is, and she is so powerful on the court and off. So confident.
“Isn’t this what we want?”
