World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka reinforced her dominance at the very top of women’s tennis by successfully defending her US Open crown, defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3) in a high-quality final. The win marks Sabalenka’s fourth career Grand Slam title and her second straight in New York, cementing her as the most consistent force on the WTA Tour.
For Anisimova, the loss was heartbreaking but also encouraging. Just months after a painful straight-sets defeat in the Wimbledon final, the 24-year-old American proved she can push the very best to the brink. When the new rankings are released, Anisimova will finally break into the Top 5 for the first time in her career, signaling that her long-awaited breakthrough is closer than ever.
Sabalenka’s Path to Glory
Sabalenka’s road to the title was not without its hurdles. She fended off Rebeka Masarova and Polina Kudermetova in the opening rounds, before handling Leylah Fernandez and Cristina Bucsa in convincing fashion. A quarterfinal walkover against Marketa Vondrousova gave her a lighter workload, but she was fully tested in the semifinals against Jessica Pegula, where she prevailed with trademark power and intensity.
By the time she faced Anisimova in the championship match, Sabalenka looked sharp, physically fresh, and mentally focused. That combination proved decisive.
How the Final Unfolded
The opening set reflected Sabalenka’s champion mindset. Despite facing three break points in the very first game, she steadied herself, held serve, and immediately broke Anisimova to take a 2-0 lead. Anisimova did manage a mid-set surge, stringing together three games to briefly go ahead 3-2, but Sabalenka responded with authority. She reeled off four straight games to close out the set 6-3.
The second set, however, turned into a dramatic rollercoaster. Sabalenka built a 3-1 lead and looked in full control before Anisimova struck back with fearless hitting, breaking to level at 3-3. At 5-3, Sabalenka was just two points from victory, but Anisimova dug deep, using a bold lob and capitalizing on a rare Sabalenka error to extend the contest. She surged to 6-5 and had the crowd believing in a deciding set.
But in the tiebreak, Sabalenka showed why she’s World No. 1. With a mix of heavy serves and composed baseline rallies, she cruised through 7-3 to seal the title in straight sets.
Analyst Insight: What Sets Sabalenka Apart
As someone who has followed Aryna Sabalenka’s rise closely, what stands out is her controlled aggression. In her early years, Sabalenka’s power could sometimes overwhelm her consistency, leading to wild swings in matches. Over the past two seasons, however, she has refined her shot selection without losing her explosive edge.
In the 2025 US Open final, this balance was on full display. She hit her spots on serve when it mattered most, struck 32 winners across two sets, and limited her unforced errors to manageable levels. Just as importantly, she showed resilience under pressure—shaking off the disappointment of losing three games in a row late in the second set to completely reset in the tiebreak.
That mental reset is what separates champions from challengers.
Anisimova’s Growth: Closer Than Ever
While Amanda Anisimova will leave New York disappointed, her performance marks a huge step forward. After her devastating double-bagel loss in the Wimbledon final, many wondered if she could recover mentally on the sport’s biggest stages. Her showing at the US Open proves she belongs among the elite.
Not only did Anisimova push Sabalenka deep into a second-set tiebreak, but she also displayed greater composure in big moments—hitting bold winners under pressure and finding creative solutions, like the daring lob that extended her hopes.
Breaking into the Top 5 is no small feat, and it shows that her progress is real. If she continues to polish her serve and manage nerves in finals, it feels inevitable that Anisimova will lift a Grand Slam trophy sooner rather than later.
What This Means for the WTA Landscape
Sabalenka’s win solidifies her position as the leader of the women’s game. Alongside Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, she’s part of a top-tier group that is pushing women’s tennis into a new era of rivalries. Yet her ability to defend titles and thrive under pressure puts her a notch above most.
For fans, the Sabalenka–Anisimova clash is a preview of what could become a marquee rivalry. Both women are in their mid-20s, both possess huge groundstrokes, and both are fearless in big moments. If Anisimova continues her trajectory, we may see more Slam finals between these two in the near future.
Sabalenka’s Winning Gear
Sabalenka once again proved that performance and style can go hand-in-hand. She captured her US Open title wearing the Nike Fall Slam 2 Dress, wielding her trusted Wilson Blade 98 16×19 v9 Fighter racquet, and finishing points with customized Nike Zoom Vapor 12 shoes. For fans, this setup has become synonymous with her success.
Key Takeaways
- Aryna Sabalenka defended her US Open title, earning her fourth career Slam.
- She showcased her maturity, resilience, and improved consistency under pressure.
- Amanda Anisimova proved she can contend with the very best, and her Top 5 debut highlights her upward trajectory.
- The women’s game feels wide open, but Sabalenka is setting the standard with her consistency at the top.
FAQ
Q: How many US Open titles does Aryna Sabalenka have?
A: Sabalenka now has two, winning in 2024 and 2025.
Q: How many Grand Slams has Sabalenka won overall?
A: This US Open gives her a total of four majors.
Q: What is Amanda Anisimova’s new ranking after the 2025 US Open?
A: She will break into the WTA Top 5 for the first time in her career.
Q: Who did Sabalenka beat on her way to the title?
A: Among others, she defeated Leylah Fernandez, Jessica Pegula, and Amanda Anisimova.
