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The US Open

Sabalenka doubles up to claim 2nd Open title

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Aryna Sabalenka backed up her 2024 US Open title with a second helping as she defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (3) to lift the fourth Grand Slam title of her career on Saturday.

The win assures the 27-year-old will retain her world No. 1 ranking and gives her a career matched set of two major trophies in Melbourne as well as a pair in New York.

Sabalenka was broken while serving for victory, leading a set and 5-4. But she swept through the ensuing tiebreaker to claim victory on her third match point, a winner deep into the corner.

“This is crazy, I’m speechless,” an emotional Sabalenka said. “Congrats to Amanda for reaching back-to-back finals at the Slams – she lost Wimbledon to Iga Swiatek.

“I know how much it hurts to lose these big finals. But you will enjoy it so much after these tough losses when you win your first.”

Sabalenka  thanked the crowd for their support after facing locals (Jessica Pegula) in the semis and final.

The final lasted 96 minutes, with the top seed  helped by 29 unforced errors from Anisimova – including a seventh double-fault which handed over five match points.

Sabalenka lost to Anisimova in their last meeting, a Wimbledon semi-final. The winner improved to 29-6 this season as she won the 21st title of her career and 6-3 in series

She is the first woman to win consecutive singles titles here since Serena Williams 2012-2014

Aryna Sabalenka celebrates at match point

Sabalenka claimed her 100th career Grand Slam main-draw match-win and her 34 at Flushing Meadows.

The top seed who has lost six of nine previous meetings with Aisismova had to get through a tight opening game where she saved three break points.and overcome stubborn early resistance from her American opponent before gunning her jets to pull away.

The match was up and down with nine breaks of serve.

Sabalenka fell to her knees after match point and then scrambled into her team box for hugs all around escorted by security; Anisimova sat on her bench, a towel on her face crying at what might have been.

“It’s been a great summer,” the American finalist said. “Losing two finals in a row is not great, but…

“I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today. Thanks for the support at my home Slam,” the New Jersey native said. “It’s been a crazy, crazy journey.”

Anisimova will gain a top five ranking on Monday as a result of her finals performance.

ATP

Positive vibes after RG takes player crisis meeting

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The peace talks came after a Friday interview boycott by most top players, who limited their pre-event interactions with media to 15 minutes while snubbing TV broadcasters.

Players are asking for a larger share of Grand Slam prize money, aiming for a rise from 15 to 22 per cent, a figure well below payouts in other spots.

French federation (FFT) officials promised a response to the demands in the immediate future. Confrontations with Wimbledon and the US Open are also likely to proceed during the Paris fortnight.

The Australian Open has already sided with the players when the issue first arose earlier this season.

The FFT “has committed to responding to the players’ proposals in the coming weeks,” the ruling body said.

Players are seeking a closer involvement in the big decisions of the sport along with increased health insurance and retirement benefits.

Sinner, with USD 56 million already in career prize money at age 24, might do well to follow the example of retired icon Roger Federer, who earned 130 million on court and much more off it,

The Swiss, reportedly now a tennis billionaire, often said he would not be needing his ATP pension but was happy to work on behalf of other  players.

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Strasbourg

Raducanu plays coaching lottery with return to her OG

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Emma Raducanu has gone back to the future with her latest choice of coach, choosing to re-group with the mentor who helped her to a US Open title five long years ago.

The Briton whose career has been a patchwork of changing coaches and near-constant injuries and illness since her 2021 big day in New York, revealed she has re-employed Andrew Richardson, her OG coach.

The pair split not long after then-teenaged Raducanu won the Open title from an unprecedented qualifying start.

She has since struggled and wil head to Roland Garros from next Sunday with only one clay tournament, a late wild-card entry into Strasbourg.

“Grateful to have reconnected with someone who has known me for over a decade now and looking forward to building together one iteration at a time,” she posted on social media.

The WTA no. 30 has played just 15 matches this season – none on clay – with her last one more than two months ago.

Main photo:- Emma Raducanu with her coach, Andrew Richardson at the 2021 US Open

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The Australian Open

Wimbledon goes modern with electronic reviews

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Wimbledon will bow to the high-tech future by introducing limited electronic reviews of line calls on major courts at the Championships, the club revealed on Saturday.

The All England Club will allow the technology on showcourts including Centre Court, No. 1 and four others. During controversial moments, competitors will be allowed to ask the chair umpire for a review of the point in question.

The wizardry is coming late to Wimbledon having been used at the US Open since 2023 and later adapted by the Australian Open. Roland Garros relies on marks in its clay surface to determine line calls.

Under the rules, players can ask for the review any number of times, with electronic line-calling now in effect at the grass-court major for a second year after the 2025 elimination of human line judges.

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