US Open live: Aryna Sabalenka v Amanda Anisimova latest score and updates from women’s final

Sabalenka bounced into her post-match press conference holding up a giant bottle of Moet champagne, her eyes covered by ski goggles. The cork had been popped, the champagne sprayed and swigged in triumphant celebration.

Aryna Sabalenka said her emotions at the end of the US Open “felt different” because of her defeats in grand slam finals this year.

“I had to overcome a lot of things to get this one,” she said.

“I knew that, you know, the hard work we put in, I deserved to have a Grand Slam title this season.

“When I fell, it was like truly emotions, because it means a lot to defend this title and to bring such a great tennis on court.

“And to bring the fight and be able to handle my emotions the way I did in this final, it means a lot. I’m super proud right now of myself.”

“She came out, and she was playing great tennis from the start. Obviously she’s No. 1, and she’s very capable of playing amazing tennis, which she did that today. I give all the credit to her.

:I also have a pretty good record in tiebreaks, I’m pretty sure. I just wasn’t playing great. Couldn’t serve again. I mean, that’s the reason why she’s No. 1, and that’s why I said that in my speech. I truly really admire her, and she puts in a lot of work, and that’s why she’s where she is.”

Amanda Anisimova is still set to reach a career-high of fourth in the world on Monday but said she was disappointed with how she played in the final. She made 29 unforced errors to Sabalenka’s 15 during the match.

“I just felt like throughout the match I wasn’t playing my best tennis,” Anisimova said. “I feel like with finals I have a lot of nerves, and it’s something I’m trying to work on, but I just wish I played more aggressive.

“Of course, she was playing amazing. She was playing very aggressive and doing all the right things, so she made it very difficult for me today.”

Amanda Anisimova said her struggles on serve during her US Open final defeat to Aryna Sabalenka were not helped by the closed roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium and her inability to see the ball on her ball toss. Anisimova lost her second grand slam final in succession as Sabalenka retained her US Open crown with a 6-4 7-6 victory against the American in New York.

In a moment, as Aryna Sabalenka dropped to the baseline and collapsed into tears, all the painful defeats in grand slam finals were suddenly worth it. From the losses to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff at the French Open this season, as well as her semi-final defeat to Amanda Anisimova at Wimbledon, Sabalenka emerged with valuable lessons, and then used them to her advantage in defending her US Open title.

The organisers of the US Open have asked broadcasters to refrain from showing any negative reaction towards Donald Trump during the US president’s appearance at the men’s singles final on Sunday.

Trump is expected to return to the US Open for the first time in a decade after accepting a corporate invite to a suite for Sunday’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will meet again in the US Open final in New York, with more grand slam history and the World No 1 ranking on the line.

Alcaraz and Sinner are the first two players to meet in three consecutive grand slam finals in the same year in the Open era, having battled at the French Open final and the Wimbledon final this summer.

Aryna Sabalenka ended a painful grand slam season on a glorious high by defeating Amanda Anisimova to retain her US Open crown.

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 heart-breaking defeats at both the Australian Open and French Open – forced to apologise after an ungracious press conference towards winner Coco Gauff at the latter.

Aryna Sabalenka on taming the home crowd and playing a third straight final against an American.

“I feel like throughout the years, we’ve built our relationship and you guys give me so much support. My first year here when I saw that I have to play back to back against Americans, I was just like ‘no way. Please. I don’t wanna play’ .

“Then coming back the next year and I have to play back to back against Americans in the semis and finals I felt a bit more support.

“This year I felt even more support. So I’m super excited to come back next year. I hope you’re all gonna cheer for me . Thank you guys for bringing the best atmosphere.”