Mumbai, Sept. 8 -- Perhaps no one can relate to what Amanda Anisimova was going through better than the player she shared the court with on Saturday. Perhaps that is why Aryna Sabalenka, the losing finalist of this year's first two Grand Slams, was in the mood for words of wisdom as the winning finalist of the US Open. Turning to the back-to-back Grand Slam losing finalist at the trophy ceremony, the world No.1 told the American: "I know how much it hurts. But trust me, the moment you're going to win the first one... girl, you're going to enjoy it even more after the tough losses in the final." Then at the press conference, the defending champion brought up those "tough losses" again to a kid's question on how it felt to win the title again. Sabalenka, 27, asked the kid if she played tennis. Yes, was the reply. "Then you gonna feel it one day," said Sabalenka. "You gonna understand me." For the four-time Slam winner, this triumph felt unlike any other. Because that final hurdle where she twice stumbled, at the Australian Open and French Open despite sailing all tournament, had been finally crossed. Because the major stamp which eluded her all season despite being the best player, had been finally nailed. "I had to overcome a lot of things to get this one," Sabalenka said. "I knew that the hard work we put in, I deserve to have a Grand Slam title this season." That hard work took her to at least the semi-finals of the year's first three Slams. Yet in those finals at Melbourne and Paris, despite starting as the favourite and having her chances, she couldn't go all the way. "I was thinking why would I let my emotions take control over me in those two finals?" she said. Sabalenka chose to "forget" the Melbourne three-setter as a one-off. But when the theme also crept into the Paris three-setter, she realised she couldn't brush it aside any longer. "After that I figured maybe it's time for me to sit back and look at those finals and learn something," she said. "I didn't want it to happen again and again and again." Part of the learning process involved reading a book while holidaying in the Greek island of Mykonos. The book was a real story about a person "who learns how to control his emotions and not overthink". "That book really helped me to stay focussed, and focus on the right things on important points," she said. "Going into this final I decided that I will control my emotions... Doesn't matter what happens in the match - if she breaks me back or plays incredible tennis." It did happen. Anisimova did break back when Sabalenka served for the match. This time, even with the added distraction of the partisan American crowd, it did not break Sabalenka's composure on the inside and tenacity from the outside. "From the lesson I learnt (in this final), and I hope it'll never happen again if I'm going to be playing another final, (is) that I'll be more in control."...