Sabalenka Holds Nerve to Defend US Open Crown Against Anisimova

Aryna Sabalenka cemented her status as the WTA's leading force by overcoming a spirited challenge from eighth seed Amanda Anisimova to retain her US Open championship in a gripping final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The top-seeded Belarusian triumphed 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in Saturday's showdown, becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend the New York crown.

Despite showing moments of vulnerability, Sabalenka demonstrated improved composure during critical points, particularly after failing to close out the match at 5-4 in the second set. The 27-year-old regrouped to dominate the tie-break, sealing victory on her third championship point with a thunderous forehand winner.

"This one feels extra special after the challenges I've faced in majors this year," Sabalenka remarked during the trophy presentation. "Amanda pushed me to dig deep – these are the matches that show your true character."

Anisimova, contesting her second Grand Slam final after a demoralizing 6-0, 6-0 loss at Wimbledon, showcased improved resilience but struggled to maintain consistency. The 24-year-old American erased a 2-1 deficit in the second set, electrifying the home crowd with a break-back to force the tie-break, only to falter under Sabalenka's relentless pressure.

The match featured relentless baseline exchanges between two of tennis's most powerful strikers. Anisimova initially threatened with three break points in the opening game before Sabalenka steadied, using her superior first-serve percentage (68% vs. 52%) to control pivotal moments. The Belarusian's current streak of 19 consecutive tie-break wins proved decisive in the championship's closing stages.

An emotional Anisimova acknowledged her progress while addressing the crowd: "Reaching two finals shows I'm moving forward, but today I didn't fight hard enough for the dream. I'll learn from this and come back stronger."

Sabalenka's victory caps a season where she maintained world No. 1 status despite previous Grand Slam disappointments, becoming only the third active player after Iga Świątek and Naomi Osaka to capture four major singles titles. The triumph also marks her seventh WTA trophy of 2025, extending her lead in the Race to the WTA Finals.

As night fell over Flushing Meadows, the champion reflected on her growth: "People questioned my mental strength, but tonight proves I can handle the pressure. This is just the beginning."