Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka triumphed in the U.S. Open women’s singles final, securing a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory over American Amanda Anisimova. This victory marks Sabalenka’s fourth Grand Slam title and her second consecutive win at the U.S. Open, making her the first woman to achieve back-to-back titles since Serena Williams over a decade ago. The match showcased Sabalenka’s powerful play and strategic resilience, even as she encountered some tense moments.
Ranked No. 1, Sabalenka controlled the match for the most part, but the second set proved challenging. She twice led by breaks, serving for the championship at 5-4. However, a critical mistake came when she attempted an overhead shot that landed in the net at 30-all, offering Anisimova a chance to break back. This blip caused Sabalenka to momentarily drop her racket, but the crowd rallied behind Anisimova as she leveled the set at 5-all. Just 15 minutes later, though, Sabalenka found her composure, clinching victory on her third match point, further extending her impressive tiebreaker record to 21 wins out of 22 this season.
The match had historical implications, as it prevented Sabalenka from joining a rare group of women who have lost three major finals in a single season, a feat last achieved by Justine Henin in 2006. “All those tough lessons are worth this one,” Sabalenka expressed post-match, visibly emotional. Her road to victory this year included runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and the French Open, as well as an early exit at Wimbledon against none other than Anisimova.
Anisimova, who faced Sabalenka in the final, marked a significant achievement as she reached her first major final despite previous setbacks, including a shocking 6-0, 6-0 loss against Iga Swiatek. Post-match, Anisimova reflected on her journey, admitting, “Losing in two finals in a row is great, but then it’s also super hard,” as she buried her face in a towel, grappling with the disappointment. Sabalenka offered words of encouragement, telling Anisimova, “I know how much it hurts losing in the finals, but trust me… you’re going to win one.”
The final was held under the retractable roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium due to the rain, providing an environment that allowed for powerful shots and strategic plays. While the conditions posed challenges for Anisimova, as she gestured for support from her team during serves, both players exhibited their prowess with aggressive shots and impressive rallies that had the crowd on their feet. Though Anisimova made more unforced errors, she also recorded nearly double the number of winners compared to Sabalenka.
In celebrating Sabalenka’s victory during the trophy ceremony, Anisimova praised her opponent, saying, “You are so incredible. I’m in awe of what you’ve accomplished.” With this latest achievement, Sabalenka further cements her legacy in women’s tennis, showcasing both her competitiveness and capacity to learn from past hurdles. The women’s game continues to evolve with talents like Sabalenka and Anisimova, promising thrilling matches in the seasons to come.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/06/aryna-sabalenka-beats-american-amanda-anisimova-to-repeat-as-us-open-champion.html
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Publish Date: 2025-09-07 04:18:00
