The US Open
Sabalenka doubles up to claim 2nd Open title
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
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.
Alexander Zverev on Thursday made a long-sought after return to the Shanghai Masters semi-finals, booking his first final four at the event since 2019, defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4.
The 2027 year-end No. 1 last got this far as the Covid pandemic began to surface in China in 2019. The event was not played 2020-2022, with the German making modest progress here over the past three editions since resumption.
After winning his 62nd match of the season, the 29-year-old was pleased with his performance.
“I think it was a huge step up. From just being on the court I felt both of us were playing really well.
“I was, a lot of the time, outhitting Alex, which is difficult to do from the baseline because he is so fast and he loves this kind of court speed here.
“I felt good and I’m happy with the step up from the past couple of matches.”
Zverev advanced in 78 minutes, sending over 10 aces as he defeated the Australian for the ninth time in their 13 matches.
Added the reigning Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows Grand Slam champion: “I’ve been handling pressure quite okay this year. In a way you play a bit more relaxed.
“Once Jannik (SInner) unfortunately announced he won’t play for the rest of the year, I’m 4,000 points ahead of everyone else, so I trust myself enough that I’m going to win [enough matches].
Zverev will play for the final to wrap up the Asian swing as he takes on Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who advanced when Arthur Gea quit their quarter-final with injury.
Alexander Zverev will claim world year-end No. 1 honours for the first time on the back of two Grand Slam titles and a final this season.,
The ATP confirmed the changing of the guard as current No. 1 Jannik Sinner ended his season early last week due to a knee injury which has kept him off court since winning Wimbledon three months ago.
Zverev won Roland Garros and US Open trophies and lost to Sinner in the All England Club final.
His reign at the top will begin after the ATP Final in Turin with the ranking period starting on November 23.
Zverev will be 29 years, 217 days old on the date, three days older than Andre Agassi in 1999 (29 years, 214 days).
Main photo:- Alexander Zverev by ISF Ltd
The protagonists from the just-completed China Open will give the WTA Wuhan event a miss, with both Zheng Qinwen and finalist Mirra Andreeva skipping the key Asian date.
Beijing weekend champion Zheng who thrilled a nation with her home title victory, is claiming a right shoulder injury which Andreeva feels “fatigue.”
“I’m very sorry to share that I will be withdrawing from this year’s Wuhan Open,” Zheng said in a statement. “Wuhan is where my tennis dream began, and the Wuhan Open is also where I made my breakthrough at the WTA 1000 level.
“I have always looked forward to competing in front of my hometown fans.
“Since returning from injury, however, I have played a demanding stretch of tennis over the past month and a half, competing at the US Open, the Billie Jean King Cup, and the China Open.
“My body is feeling very fatigued after this intense run of matches. I look forward to returning to the Wuhan Open next year and stepping onto the court in my best possible form!”
Andreeva’s Beijing performance has lifted the teenager into the ranking top 3 for the first time and gives her a shot at the world No. 1 ranking by season’s end next month.
Main photo :-Zheng Quinwen by ISF Ltd
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