Weekend Review: Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Cristiano Ronaldo make history

Sinner, Sabalenka and Ronaldo made history during an unforgettable weekend of sports worldwide. 

There might not have been club football or Formula 1 last weekend, but it still delivered for sports lovers. 

From the courts of Flushing Meadows to the football pitches of the international break, last weekend had it all. 

With no club football across Europe’s top leagues, international football took centre stage last weekend, while there was also the little matter of the US Open finals at the Big Apple. 

The Paris 2024 Paralympics also had a grand finish over the weekend. All these events over delivered, keeping fans glued to their seats. 

With that being said, Housebets takes a look at the creme de la creme of last weekend's sporting events. 

Aryna Sabalenka reigns at the US Open

Twelve months ago Sabalenka could not handle the occasion as she suffered a frustrating loss to Coco Gauff in the US Open final. 

That defeat left many wondering if Sabalenka had what it takes to become a multiple grand slam champion, having won the Australian Open last year. 

Although she defended her title in Australia this year, Sabalenka arrived at this year’s US Open with huge pressure on her shoulders. 

She was the clear favourite and had to deliver. Sabalenka did not only deliver, but she banished the ghost of last year’s memories. 

The Belarusian won this year’s championship, beating Jessica Pegula in straight sets. Sabalenka arrived in the final as the overwhelming favourite, but she started poorly as Pegula broke in the first game.

However, she regrouped and broke back immediately before going on to take control of the set at 5-4. 

Although Sabalenka was broken when serving out the first set at 5-4, she won the next two games to take the first set 7-5. 

The first set victory appeared to give her confidence as she raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set. 

However, just like last year’s final, Sabalenka capitulated as she allowed Pegula to get back into the match. 

But unlike the match against Gauff, she was able to bounce back, breaking back when Pegula tried to serve it out at 5-3. 

The break appeared to do the trick for Sabalenka as she reeled off the next three games to secure her first US Open title and her third grand slam. 

Jannik Sinner overcomes off court issues to claim US Open title

Jannik Sinner’s US Open campaign was overshadowed by the news of his failed drug test. The Italian had failed two drug tests and was suspended for about three weeks, although he played Indian Wells during that period. 

However, the controversy surrounding the decision which came to light during the US Open overshadowed Sinner’s campaign at Flushing Meadows. 

But despite the distraction, Sinner was able to power through his second grand slam title. The Italian World No. 1 beat Taylor Fritz in straight sets to claim his second major, having won his first at the Australian Open this year. 

Sinner was comfortable from start to finish. The 23-year-old blitzed through the first set 6-3 before taking the second set 6-4. 

Although Fritz showed a little fight in the third by going 5-3 up, Sinner won the next four games to become the first man since 1977 to win his first two grand slams in the same year. 

Ronaldo reaches a new milestone 

Cristiano Ronaldo is setting new records again after reaching 900 career goals in Portugal’s 2-1 win over Croatia in their UEFA Nations League encounter. 

The Al-Nassr man scored the second goal after Diogo Dalot put the home side ahead. Ronaldo finished off a well-weighted cross from Nuno Mendes to score his 900th career goal, more than two decades after he scored his first for Sporting Lisbon. 

As if that was not enough, Ronaldo then scored in the 2-1 win against Portugal three days later for his 901st career goal. 

The former Manchester United man is now on a mission to reach 1000 career goals.