Amanda Anisimova was visibly down after losing the US Open final but only blamed herself, saying that she "did not fight enough for my dreams."
After being double-bageled by Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final, Anisimova made a much better start against Aryna Sabalenka as she went up by a break and opened a 3-2 lead. But then, the eighth-seeded home player allowed the top seed to take her serve in back-to-back games and lost the first set.
In the second set, Anisimova twice came back from a break down to force a tie-break, where she disappointingly committed a series of unforced errors and Sabalenka went on to complete a 6-3 7-6 (3) win.
ADVERTISEMENT
During the match, the American hit four aces and seven double faults, as well as had 22 winners and 29 unforced errors. Also, she saved only one of six break points she faced.
Anisimova: I didn't fight enough for my dreams
"I didn't fight hard enough for my dreams. With finals I have a lot of nerves, and it's something I'm trying to work on, but I wish I played more aggressive. I feel like if I fought harder, maybe I would have given myself more of a chance," the 24-year-old said after the final.
Sabalenka, who lost three Grand Slam semifinals early on in her career and had to wait for her Major breakthrough until the 2023 Australian Open, told Anisimova that her dream would come true.
"I know how much it hurts. But trust me, the moment you're going to win the first one, and you are going to win it, you're going to enjoy it even more after the tough losses," Sabalenka told the American.
ADVERTISEMENT
On Monday, Anisimova will enjoy a new career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world. Previously, the American's career-high ranking saw her sit at No. 7 - she achieved it after Wimbledon.
