Aryna Sabalenka wins US Open final and gets revenge over heartbroken Amanda Anisimova

Aryna Sabalenka became the first woman to successfully defend her US Open title in more than a decade as she got revenge on No.8 seed and hometown hope Amanda Anisimova. The American stunned the world No.1 in the Wimbledon semi-finals a few weeks ago but Sabalenka bounced back to seal a 6-3 7-6(3) victory under the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium, retaining her US Open crown.

It had been a tough Grand Slam season for Sabalenka, who suffered heartbreaking defeats in the finals of both the Australian Open and Roland Garros before Anisimova sent her packing in SW19. But she leaves Flushing Meadows as the first woman to defend the singles title since Serena Williams in 2014.

Anisimova contested her maiden Grand Slam final exactly eight weeks ago, suffering a bruising 6-0 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon.

But she earned her redemption in New York, beating Swiatek in the quarter-finals before outlasting Naomi Osaka in the semis to return to another championship match. Stepping onto the biggest stadium in tennis, both women had something to prove in Saturday's final.

Sabalenka saved three break points before breaking Anisimova to immediately go 2-0 up. But the New Jersey native reeled off three games in a row to take the lead as the fans erupted in celebration.

The rollercoaster continued as Anisimova struggled on serve, and the first set quickly ran away from the No.8 seed. She was broken twice as Sabalenka stormed back to take the set 6-3.

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Anisimova approached the umpire, not happy with the lighting under the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium, explaining that she couldn't see the ball while tossing it into the air. But nothing could be done.

The 24-year-old raised concerns about the lights again as she survived a tough service game to start the second set, but it was of no use. Sabalenka, meanwhile, maintained her composure, and a backhand winner gave her an early break.

There was a glimmer of hope for Anisimova when Sabalenka played a sloppy service game to go 0-40 down. The American saw her opportunity and fired a backhand winner down the line to break back and level the score at 3-3.

It didn't last long, as Sabalenka regrouped and immediately regained her advantage, inching closer to the title. But there was one final twist in the tale as the No.1 seed stepped up to serve for the title.

At 30-30, Sabalenka put a routine overhead into the net to hand Anisimova a break point. It was a lifeline - the 24-year-old took it, and there was a deafening cheer under the roof on Ashe.

The set went to a tiebreak, where Sabalenka raced into a 5-1 lead as the errors crept back in for Anisimova.

It was a 19th consecutive tiebreak won for the world No.1, who took it 7-3 and dropped to her knees in celebration as she clinched the title for the second year running, and then met Anisimova for a warm embrace.

The American was in tears as her bench while Sabalenka rushed into the stands to celebrate with her team.