By World number one Aryna Sabalenka retained her U.S. Open crown with a battling 6-3 7-6(3) win over American eighth seed Amanda Anisimova in the U.S. Open women’s final on Saturday, underlining her claim as the modern queen of the hardcourt.
The Belarusian has not missed a hardcourt major final since 2022. Her latest trophy brings her Grand Slam haul to four, as she became the first woman to win back-to-back U.S. Opens since Serena Williams claimed three straight from 2012 to 2014.
The clash between two of tennis’s hardest-hitting, biggest-serving women boiled down to unforced errors as Sabalenka kept them to 15 compared to 29 from the racket of her opponent. “I want to thank everyone who came here, who flew in to be there in my box,” said Sabalenka, who fell to her knees after clinching victory with an unreturnable serve and embraced her coaches in the stands in a scene of utter joy.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts in the women’s singles final against Amanda Anisimova (USA) (not pictured) of the 2025 US Open tennis championships at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
“I’m going to reach a lot more finals and I don’t care where you are in the world, I want you in my box.”
Playing in only her second major final, New Jersey-born Anisimova had the partisan fans at the famed Arthur Ashe Stadium on her side but could never hang onto the momentum. “It’s been a great summer, losing in two finals in a row is great but it’s also super hard,” said 24-year-old Anisimova, who was left in tears yet again after the heartbreak of her 6-0 6-0 drubbing in the Wimbledon final two months ago.
“I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today.”
SUDDEN DOWNPOUR
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during the women’s singles final against Amanda Anisimova of the U.S.
Ticket-toting fans scrambled for cover from a sudden downpour at Flushing Meadows, forcing organizers to close the retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium, where A-list celebrities filled the stands. By the time the players returned to warm up, the rain had eased, but Aryna Sabalenka unleashed a storm of her own.
The 27-year-old Belarusian showed nerves of steel, saving three break points in a tense opening game before Amanda Anisimova surrendered the early break with a misfired shot beyond the baseline.
Anisimova hit her stride when she won a 12-shot rally with a forehand winner out of Sabalenka’s reach to break back in the third game and she went up a break as Sabalenka hit one beyond the baseline in the fifth. The tiger-tattooed Belarusian prowled along the baseline in frustration, tuning out the fans who were squarely in her opponent’s favour as she faced an American in the final for a third straight year.
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka celebrates winning the women’s singles final against Amanda Anisimova of the U.S.
But Sabalenka pounced on her chance to get the momentum back, breaking Anisimova to love in the sixth and converting on another break point from the baseline in the eighth. She closed out the first set with an unreturnable serve and sent a backhand whizzing past the American to convert on a break point in the third game of the second set.
ANISIMOVA BATTLES
Anisimova refused to give up as she levelled it in the sixth with a backhand winner of her own, whipping the fans into a frenzy, but the American party ended abruptly as their home hope sent the ball into the net on break point in the seventh.
The American stayed in it as Sabalenka helped her break back with a flubbed smash in the 10th game but buckled to the Belarusian’s power in the tiebreak, where Sabalenka sprinted through to triumph.
Sabalenka claimed her 100th Grand Slam match win with the victory and slapped her trainer’s bald head, in what has become a traditional celebration for the twice Australian Open winner, before offering her opponent heartfelt praise.
Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. in action during the women’s singles final against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka
“I know it hurts but girl, when you win your first one — and you are going to win it — you will realize that all the tough lessons are worth it,” Sabalenka said.
Leaving Flushing Meadows $5 million richer, Sabalenka arrived at her post-match press conference grinning and toting a large bottle of champagne, pausing at one point to take a hearty gulp.
Anisimova will move up to fourth in the rankings with her U.S. Open run, as she continues a fine comeback since taking an eight-month break to prioritise her mental health, returning to the court in 2024.
“Aryna, you are so incredible,” said the American. “I know I have to face you all the time. I’m in awe of what you have accomplished.”
Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka poses with the trophy and the ball kids after winning the women’s singles final
