Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Aryna Sabalenka won consecutive U.S. Open women's singles titles over U.S. challenger Amanda Anisimova Saturday afternoon at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
Sabalenka, 27, of Belarus, won the first set, 6-3, and jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the second set before Anisimova twice closed to within one and briefly led, 5-4, late in the second set.
The defending champion then rallied to win the second set, 7-6, (7-3), to secure her second straight U.S. Open title.
Anisimova, 24, entered the tournament seeded eighth and beat #2 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland, 6-4, 6-3, during the quarterfinals.
Anisimova and Japan's Naomi Osaka engaged in an extended battle during the semifinals, which Anisimova won 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, on Thursday.
