Aryna Sabalenka Stays Queen of New York, Defends US Open Crown in Style with Straight Sets Win Over Amanda Anisimova

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by Cristian Andal

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka wins second straight US Open title, beating American Amanda Anisimova.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka wins second straight US Open title, beating American Amanda Anisimova. Photo: Reuters.

Aryna Sabalenka has once again ruled the Big Apple. The world No. 1 powered past American Amanda Anisimova, 6-3, 7-6(3), to successfully defend her US Open women’s singles title on Saturday night, making her the first to go back-to-back in New York since Serena Williams in 2014.

The road wasn’t easy. Earlier this year, Sabalenka endured heartbreak in two Grand Slam finals—falling to Madison Keys in Melbourne and Coco Gauff in Paris. But instead of letting the sting linger, she turned it into fuel. “I told myself, if I get back to another final, I’ll control my emotions and fight until the end,” she said.

That new mindset showed. Against Anisimova, who had beaten her six times in their previous nine encounters, Sabalenka refused to let nerves or past scars dictate the outcome. She broke early, seized the first set, and kept her composure even when Anisimova mounted a late push in front of a supportive home crowd.

The second set turned into a tense battle, with Anisimova forcing Sabalenka to serve under pressure. But when it came down to the tiebreak, the Belarusian ace showed why she’s the top-ranked player in the world—staying steady while Anisimova’s errors piled up. One final misfire from the American sealed Sabalenka’s fourth career major and sent her crashing to the court in tears of triumph.

Amanda Anisimova lost her second straight Grand Slam final.
Amanda Anisimova lost her second straight Grand Slam final. Photo: Getty Images.

The numbers behind her dominance are staggering: in the last three seasons, Sabalenka has collected four Grand Slam titles, appeared in three more finals, and reached at least the semis in nearly every other major. Saturday’s win also marked her 100th career Grand Slam match victory, a milestone she capped off with a record $5 million champion’s prize.

As for Anisimova, the 25-year-old put together a gutsy run, taking out seeded opponents and showing flashes of brilliance with her clean hitting and fearless forehands. But under Sabalenka’s relentless pressure, the American finished with 29 unforced errors—too costly against someone who thrives in crunch time.

Aryna Sabalenka (left) and Amanda Anisimova hug at center court after the match.
Aryna Sabalenka (left) and Amanda Anisimova hug at center court after the match. Photo: X.

For Sabalenka, this wasn’t just about winning another trophy. It was about proving to herself that she could bounce back from tough losses and still stand tall. “This one felt different,” she admitted. “Because I had to overcome so much this season, it makes me even more proud.”

In New York, the queen has spoken: Aryna Sabalenka is still the one to beat.