Sabalenka’s demons in check for slam title

ARYNA Sabalenka left her emotions for the end of the US Open final as she put her grand slam demons behind her with victory over Amanda Anisimova.

- By ELEANOR CROOKS

When a final backhand from Anisimova drifted just wide, Sabalenka dropped to her knees behind the baseline and sobbed in delight and relief, a fourth slam title finally achieved at the third time of asking.

Both women were looking to bury recent scar tissue, with Anisimova back in a major final 56 days after her Wimbledon whitewash, while Sabalenka suffered heartbreaking defeats at both the Australian Open and French Open, where she was forced to apologise after an ungracious press conference towards winner Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka also lost to Anisimova in the semifinals at Wimbledon, but in New York she finally got her hands on the trophy, a 6-3 7-6 (3) victory making her the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to successfully defend the title.