Sabalenka beats Anisimova to defend US Open title

World number one Aryna Sabalenka battled past home hope Amanda Anisimova to retain her US Open title and finally secure her first Grand Slam trophy of the year

Sabalenka maintained a steadier level to win 6-3 7-6 (7-3) in a battle between two of the biggest ball-strikers in the women's game.

The Belarusian dropped to her knees, overcome with emotion, after securing victory in a year where she had suffered defeat in two Grand Slam finals.

Victory did not come without some tension, however.

Defending champion Sabalenka was unable to serve out the match at 5-4, but recovered to dominate the tie-break and seal victory on her third championship point.

The 27-year-old has again been the WTA Tour's most dominant player this season, but questions had been raised about her emotional composure in the latter stages of the majors.

Sabalenka answered the critics in her final opportunity of the season with a largely assured performance to claim her fourth Grand Slam singles title.

Instead, it was American eighth seed Anisimova who paid the price for not being able to maintain a consistently high level.

The 24-year-old produced a better performance than her first major final - when she was thrashed 6-0 6-0 by Poland's Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon in July - but was left in tears after again coming up short.