\n<\/p>\n
Anisimova has a no-frills game – all power and no subtlety, she looked to use that to blow Sabalenka off the court.<\/p>\n
The fluctuations, though, were too much and ultimately the reason behind another emotional Grand Slam defeat.<\/p>\n
Anisimova came out firing and bludgeoned her flat groundstrokes as she went for the margins.<\/p>\n
It created three break points in the first game before Sabalenka recovered to hold and break for 2-0, but cracking more winners enabled Anisimova to turn the deficit into moving a break up at 3-2.<\/p>\n
However, the nerves returned when she found herself out in front. <\/p>\n
The groundstrokes became looser as she could not consolidate, then threw in a shocking service game with two double faults for 5-3.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka, also prone to shifts in her level, remained the steadier to take the lead.<\/p>\n
While the crowd continued to provide encouragement, Anisimova cut an exasperated figure as she toiled in her opening service games of the second set.<\/p>\n
The pressure told as she fell 2-1 behind, Anisimova first slamming a ball high into the air before covering her face with a towel.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere flattened among the partisan 25,000 fans, but the mood changed when Anisimova broke back to force a tie-break.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka’s record this year in tie-breakers has been formidable and her confidence showed as she forged a decisive lead before winning her 19th breaker in a row. <\/p>\n
“I know how hard these finals hurt,” said Sabalenka. “But you will enjoy it more after these tough losses.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n