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US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka claims fourth Grand Slam title

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US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka claims fourth Grand Slam title


Aryna Sabalenka poses with her trophy after defeating Amanda Anisimova of the United States during their Women’s Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2025 in New York City. — AFP

NEW YORK: US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka may be nicknamed “The Tiger”, but her New York triumph on Saturday was less about raw aggression and more poise, as the world number one steadied herself and regrouped in key moments to claim a fourth Grand Slam title.

Determined to become the first woman since American great Serena Williams (2012–14) to defend her crown at Flushing Meadows, the Belarusian carried the weight of recent major setbacks to claim a 6-3 7-6(3) win over Amanda Anisimova in the final and retain her crown.

After final defeats at Melbourne and Paris, and a Wimbledon semi-final setback against Anisimova, Sabalenka turned all that disappointment into fuel, earning the right to show up to her press conference in party mode, goggles perched on her head and a bottle of champagne in hand.

“After the Australian Open I thought that the right way would be just to forget it and move on, but then the same thing happened at the French Open. So I figured that, okay, maybe it’s time for me to sit back and to look at those finals and to maybe learn something,” an ecstatic Sabalenka told reporters.

“Going into this final I decided for myself that I’m going to control my emotions. I’m not going to let them take control over me, and doesn’t matter what happens in the match.

“My mindset was just going out there, fight for every point. Doesn’t matter of the situation. Just focus on myself and focus on things that I have to do to win the match.”

The occasion seemed ripe for Sabalenka to crumble under the roar of a partisan Arthur Ashe crowd cheering her American opponent, but the 27-year-old showed that she was equipped to prevail in the toughest moments.

Sabalenka was serving for the match when she gifted Anisimova a break with a flubbed smash in what seemed a pivotal momentum shift. Yet the top seed did not miss when it mattered the most, winning a record 19th straight tiebreak.

“There were moments where I was really close to losing control, but I told myself, ‘No, it’s not going to happen. It’s absolutely okay’,” Sabalenka said.

“I was really close to losing it, because you cannot make these kinds of mistakes on important points. Sometimes it can be crucial, from my experience.

“But then I turn around and I took a deep breath in, and I was, like, okay, it happens. It’s in the past. Let’s focus on the next one.”

Sabalenka added that her milestone 100th Grand Slam match win carried extra weight because of the road it took to get there.

“You know, this one felt like I had to overcome a lot of things to get this one,” she said. “I knew that the hard work we put in, like, I deserved to have a Grand Slam title this season.

“It means a lot to defend this title and to bring such great tennis on the court. To bring the fight and be able to handle my emotions the way I did in this final, it means a lot. I’m super proud right now of myself.”





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Prince Andrew’s property woes over Royal Lodge with King Charles: Everything to know

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Prince Andrew’s property woes over Royal Lodge with King Charles: Everything to know


Prince Andrew’s situation over his lease with King Charles

Prince Andrew’s situation with King Charles over Royal Lodge has finally been broken down by a property expert who believes he knows what the future holds.

For those unversed, Royal Lodge is a 30-bedroom property, which was leased by the former Duke of York for £1million back in 2003. Over £7.5m in refurbishment were also spent separately.

Due to the nature of the “cast iron” lease, any early termination or decision by the Crown Estate to remove Prince Andrew from the property will result in him getting £557,595 in compensation, all the way until 2028.

The property expert in question is the CEO of We Buy Any Home, Elliot Castle.

He spoke to Express UK during his explanation and said, “From a property law standpoint, Prince Andrew’s situation at the Royal Lodge appears to be governed by a long-term lease agreement rather than a traditional rental arrangement. If, as reported, the lease terms were set out in 2003 with a significant upfront payment and refurbishment investment, then he would retain security of tenure under those agreed conditions.”

Also, “the reference to a ‘peppercorn rent’ is symbolic – a common feature in long leases where the tenant has paid a large premium up front.”

In addition, for those unversed, in simple terms, it means, “the occupier has effectively bought long-term rights to the property, even though the freehold remains with the Crown Estate.”

So “Whether King Charles could alter or terminate that arrangement would depend entirely on the legal structure of the lease.”

In terms of what control King Charles has over this decision the source said, “Unless there’s a specific clause allowing for termination under certain conditions, it would be very difficult to remove a tenant without agreement or compensation, regardless of personal circumstances.”

Same for Sarah Ferguson Elliot said, “her residency would likely be linked to Prince Andrew’s leasehold rights rather than any separate ownership. If the lease continues, her position would generally remain unchanged.”

However, “overall, while the situation attracts public attention due to its royal connections, the underlying property principles are quite standard — a long lease provides security, but ultimate ownership and control rest with the freeholder, in this case the Crown,” he said before signing off. 





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Ariana Grande credits ‘Wicked’ for reigniting her musical spark

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Ariana Grande credits ‘Wicked’ for reigniting her musical spark


Ariana Grande credits ‘Wicked’ for reigniting her musical spark

Ariana Grande said that the process of making the film adaptation of Wicked inspired her to continue making albums.

During an appearance on the latest episode of the Shut Up Evan podcast, the 32-year-old singer and actress revealed that she nearly planned on ending her music career before doing Wicket.

“I felt like a genuine spark, like a reconnection and inspiration and something I mean, maybe I missed it,” Ariana said of filming Wicked.

“Maybe it’s as simple as I missed it,” she continued. “But I do feel like you have to miss things in order to learn how to become better, you know what I mean? And I think I learned so much.”

“And then also I genuinely wanted to do it. I just felt like I couldn’t not. It was an inspired moment and I had to write an album and I had to do it,” added the Boy is Mine hitmaker.

For those unversed, Wicked was released in cinemas in November 2024. However, the second part of the film adaptation, Wicked: For Good, is scheduled to hit theaters on November 21.

Ariana recorded her seventh album Eternal Sunshine while filming Wicked.





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Sarah Jessica Parker’s surprise message leaves Ariana Grande shocked

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Sarah Jessica Parker’s surprise message leaves Ariana Grande shocked


Ariana Grande reacts to Sarah Jessica Parker’s heartfelt question

Ariana Grande is sharing her honest thoughts on fame.

The singer and actress was left in shock on the latest episode of the Shut Up Evan podcast when the host revealed to her that she had arranged a special message from her idol, Sarah Jessica Parker.

Host Evan Ross Katz began to say, “I know you’re a huge fan of Sarah Jessica Parker. I was getting ready for today and I wanted to have some people call in and ask some questions. So I want to bring the icon Sarah Jessica Parker into the conversation.”

He then played a voicemail from the Hocus Pocus actress, “Greetings Ariana. It’s Sarah Jessica and I have a question… She’s so extraordinarily gifted and has at this point and for quite a while achieved an authority and a kind of control of her career.

Parker continued, “My A. question is when she was little… What did she imagine it would be when she said to a parent, a sibling, a co-worker, or even at a young age, ‘I want to be an actor.’”

In response, Grande showed her shocking expression and said before tearing up, “I love her so much. What a thoughtful and gentle and caring question… Sorry that just totally shocked me. I can’t believe she knows who I am.”

She then took a moment to reply to Parker’s question, confessing that fame is “peculiar” and “hard to navigate.”

“I don’t think I was prepared for that part,” she remarked but added she’s “proud” of the work she has done to separate herself from fame.





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