In Saturday’s women’s singles final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, Aryna Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3) to win her second US Open championship.
The Belarusian, 27, became the first woman to defend the championship at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 2012–14 with the win. Prior to her success at the US Open last year, she had won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024.
An emotional Sabalenka expressed gratitude to her team for supporting her over the highs and lows of the turbulent 2025 campaign.
“It’s been tough this year,” she said. “I love you, you’re my family,” she said, sort of apologizing for how she’s treated them in those two other Slam finals this year. “Worth it, right?”
“All those tough lessons were worth this one. I want to say congrats Amanda for reaching back-to-back finals at the slams. I know how much it hurts, but trust me, you’re going to win one. You’ll enjoy it even more after these tough losses.”
Just one day after getting sweet retribution on Iga Swiatek, eighth seeded Anisimova was unable to replicate the poise and confidence she demonstrated while defeating four-time major winner Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals in a match between two of tennis’ biggest hitters.
When she needed her power from the baseline and deadly forehand, the 24-year-old American made a number of unforced mistakes. The world number one took advantage of the moment and made it matter.
Hits and misses dominated the first set as both players made a number of unforced mistakes, ranging from Anisimova’s 15 to Sabalenka’s four.
After fighting back from a 0-30 behind, Anisimova returned the break that the reigning champion had broken in the second game.
After Sabalenka made another error off Anisimova’s racquet, Anisimova held and then broke. But after Anisimova made another careless mistake, Sabalenka promptly gave it back.
Abruptly losing concentration, Anisimova gave Sabalenka three break-points to end the match. In the eighth game, Anisimova gifted Sabalenka two break-points with two double-faults before she broke for the set.
Sabalenka took the first break and held to love in the second game to take a 2-1 lead in the second set. The American broke at love to tie the set at 3-3 after she held in the fifth for 3-2 with encouragement from the spectators.
After regrouping, Sabalenka hit back to 15 on Anisimova’s serve to take a 4-3 lead. She then held to 15, forcing Anisimova to serve to end the match. The American skillfully leveled the score at 5-5.
The Belarusian was cool in the tie-breaker, winning it in an hour and thirty-four minutes with a fiery serve. After losing to Iga Swiatek 6-0, 6-0 in the July Wimbledon final, Anisimova broke down in tears.
