World · Singapore Bureau
Sabalenka's bid for three-peat ends in US Open final loss
Aryna Sabalenka's attempt to win three consecutive US Open titles came to an end in the final, with the Belarusian displaying signs of frustration during the match.
LSN Singapore ·
Sabalenka's quest for a third straight US Open championship fell short in the final, marking a significant setback in her bid to join an elite group of players with back-to-back-to-back Grand Slam wins at the same tournament.
The pressure of chasing history appeared to weigh on the top-seeded player as tensions mounted during the match. Sabalenka's frustration boiled over on two separate occasions, first when she struck a ball into the crowd, then later when she smashed her racket during a moment of apparent exasperation.
Sabalenka had dominated the US Open in recent years, claiming the title in 2023 and 2024. Her loss in the final represents the end of her hopes to become just the third player in the Open Era to win three consecutive singles titles at Flushing Meadows.
The 25-year-old will now focus on regrouping as the tennis season continues, with questions emerging about how the psychological toll of defending a dominant position at a Grand Slam venue may have impacted her performance in the championship match.