When Amanda Anisimova was granted a lifeline late in the US Open final, it seemed the match was destined for a dramatic third set. But Aryna Sabalenka was in no mood for second chances, responding to her own blunder with a ruthless display to close out the match 6-3, 7-6 (3).
The lifeline came when Sabalenka, serving for the title, committed a shocking smash error and was subsequently broken. This was Anisimova’s golden opportunity, a moment to seize the momentum and force a decider. The American did her part, holding serve to love and putting the pressure back on the champion.
What followed was a masterclass in closing. Sabalenka refused to entertain the idea of a third set. She held her own serve with authority and then entered the tiebreak with a killer instinct. She played with devastating precision, giving Anisimova no openings and ruthlessly slamming the door on her comeback hopes.
It was a powerful demonstration of a champion’s mindset. Sabalenka understood that giving a dangerous opponent a second chance is a risky proposition. Her swift and decisive response after her own mistake was the mark of a player who knows how to win.
