Aryna Sabalenka broke American hearts for a second straight year, defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) to claim a second straight US Open title in New York.

Sabalenka is the first woman since Serena Williams completed a hat-trick from 2012 to 2014 to win back-to-back titles at Flushing Meadows, and she needed an one hour and 34 minutes to prevail in straight sets despite a late wobble.

The world No.1 pockets an extraordinary US$5 million (A$7.6m) winner’s cheque as well as adding to her own legacy with a fourth grand slam title.

Another grand slam final heartbreaker threatened late in the second set, however, when she was broken by Animisova when serving for the championship at 5-4.

The American crowd found full voice at the moment as they tried to inspire a stirring comeback by c

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