But while Paolini won 18 matches from 22 Grand Slam matches, Sabalenka managed the same number from just 19 outings.

Her 18-1 record at the Slams this year gave her an outstanding winning rate of almost 95 per cent – the best of any player in the game.

RELATED: Sabalenka soars to achieve US Open dream

Like Sinner, Sabalenka was a clear leader in ranking points earned at 2024 Grand Slams, despite missing Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury.

And dating back to Wimbledon 2021, when she reached her first major semifinal, Sabalenka has established herself as the most consistently-strong Grand Slam player among women.

While Swiatek has won four major titles to Sabalenka’s three in that same span, Sabalenka leads almost every other statistical category, including matches won (61), winning rate (87.14 per cent), quarterfinals reached (10) and semifinals reached (9).

She has advanced to the quarterfinals in her past eight consecutive Grand Slam appearances, and semifinals at nine of her past 12 Slams.

Sabalenka and Sinner bookended their Grand Slam seasons in style with victories in New York.

They became the first AO singles champions to repeat their triumphs at the US Open in the same season since Steffi Graf and Mats Wilander in 1988.