New York: World number one Aryna Sabalenka has defended her US Open title after outlasting American hope Amanda Anisimova in a high-intensity final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Belarusian claimed a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) victory to secure her fourth Grand Slam singles trophy and her first of the season, overcoming the heartbreak of two previous final defeats in 2025. Sabalenka, 27, dropped to her knees in tears after sealing the win on her third championship point, a moment of redemption following setbacks at both the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year.
The match, billed as a showdown between two of the tour’s most powerful hitters, delivered on intensity but also exposed the mental challenges of competing at the sport’s highest level. Sabalenka steadied herself after failing to serve out at 5-4 in the second set, regrouping to dominate the tie-break with her trademark fearless hitting.
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Sabalenka stated that, “It was about staying calm and not letting emotions take over again. After two finals where I completely lost control, I didn’t want that to happen today.” Anisimova, playing in her second major final, showed significant improvement from her Wimbledon loss to Iga Swiatek earlier this summer, but nerves and inconsistency proved costly once again. The 24-year-old finished with 29 unforced errors and seven double faults, later admitting the Arthur Ashe floodlights affected her serve.
Despite the disappointment, Anisimova reflected on her progress with optimism. Anisimova remarked that, “It’s been a great summer. Losing two finals in a row is great, but also super hard. I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today.”
Sabalenka’s victory underlined her dominance on the WTA Tour, where she has once again been the most consistent performer of the season. More importantly, it silenced doubts over her composure in big moments, as she avenged her Wimbledon semi-final defeat to Anisimova and proved her resilience under pressure.
The world number one has now won 19 tie-breaks in a row this season, further cementing her status as the most formidable competitor in decisive moments. Sabalenka added that, “I know how hard these finals hurt. But you will enjoy it more after these tough losses.”
The triumph closes Sabalenka’s season on a high, reaffirming her place at the top of women’s tennis and adding another chapter to her growing Grand Slam legacy.
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