Belarusian world No. 1 defeats Amanda Anisimova, becomes first woman to defend the crown at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 2012–14.
Aryna Sabalenka won her second US Open title, defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3) in the women’s singles final at Arthur Ashe stadium, in New York, on Saturday.
The victory made the 27-year-old Belarusian, who won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024 before her US Open triumph last year, the first woman to defend the crown at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 2012-14.
An emotional Sabalenka thanked her team, which stuck with her through all the highs and lows of a tumultuous 2025 season.
"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."
In a showdown between two of tennis' heaviest hitters, eighth seeded Anisimova was just unable to reproduce the confidence and calm she displayed while toppling four-time major winner Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals, just a day after exacting sweet revenge on Iga Swiatek.
The 24-year-old American committed several unforced errors as her power from the baseline and lethal forehand deserted her when she needed it most. The world No.1 seized opportunity and made it count.
The first set was all about hits and misses as both players committed several unforced errors: Anisimova's 15 to Sabalenka’s four.
The defending champion broke in the second game only to see Anisimova return it in the next after battling from 0-30 down.
Another mistake off Anisimova's racquet saw Sabalenka break again before Anisimova held and then broke.
But Sabalenka returned it at the first opportunity following another unforced error by Anisimova.
Anisimova suddenly lost focus and handed Sabalenka three break-points to wrap the game.
Two double-faults by Anisimova in the eighth game gave Sabalenka two break-points before she broke for the set.
In the second set, Sabalenka held to love in the second game and effected the first break to go 2-1 up. She held in the fifth for 3-2 before the American, with the crowd goading her on, broke at love to level the set score 3-3.
Sabalenka regrouped after that and hit back to 15 on Anisimova's serve to go up 4-3, and held to 15, leaving Anisimova to serve to stay in the match.
The American did with aplomb to level the score 5-5.
In the tie-breaker, the Belarusian was ice-cool, winning it with a blazing serve and sealing victory in an hour and 34 minutes.
Anisimova, routed 6-0, 6-0 by Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final in July, was reduced to tears after failing yet again.
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