Arnya Sabalenka put recent Grand Slam final heartache aside to beat Amanda Anisimova in straight sets and retain the US Open women's singles title.
Sabalenka was able to crown a fabulous 2025 in fitting fashion, having lost the Australian and French Open finals to Americans Madison Keys and Coco Gauff respectively. She took down Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (3) on Saturday afternoon.
The world No.1 faced another American, roared on by a home crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium but, as was the case when she reached the Wimbledon final, Anisimova showed that her undoubted talent must again be hardened to stand up to the scrutiny of tennis' biggest occasions.
This was not anything like the humiliation of losing 6-0 6-0 to Iga Swiatek at SW19, but nor did Anisimova look like the revitalized force who claimed a revenge win over the Polish star en route to this showpiece.
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Sabalenka broke for 2-0 in the opener before dropping serve twice to lose three games in succession. But from this streaky start, the reigning champion settled, tightened up her game and watched the errors flow from the Anisimova racquet.
The Belarusian powered to the first set 6-3, having claimed three out of three break points and made four unforced errors to Anisimova's 15. Before the second got underway, the eighth seed complained that the floodlights were making it hard for her to see the ball when she tossed to serve.
When the American's aggressive approach clicked, she was fleetingly irresistible, breaking Sabalenka to get back to 3-3 and then to 5-5 when she repelled a rival serving for the title. From that disappointment, Sabalenka regrouped to play a nerveless breaker. It made her the first woman to retain the title at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams in 2014.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Amanda Anisimova score
| 1 | 2 | |
| Aryna Sabalenka (1) | 6 | 7 (7) |
| Amanda Anisimova (8) | 3 | 6 (3) |
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Amanda Anisimova updates, results, highlights from 2025 US Open semifinals
Aryna Sabelenka beats Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-6 (7-3) to win the US Open!
Sabalenka falls to her knees and cries with joy. Anisimova is crestfallen. Even through this was nowhere near as spectacular a misstep as she suffered against Swiatek at Wimbledon, once again the gifted American has failed to bring her best tennis to a big occasion. Sabalenka a very worthy champion and, after disappointment at the Australian and French Opens, the world No. 1 is a grand slam champion in 2025 and a two-time US Open champion.
Second set tiebreak
Anismova gets underway with an ace 0-1 Anisimova
Anisimova wide for Sabalenka to get back on terms 1-1
Fault from Sabalenka, second serve is decent as Anisimova's return is off target. 2-1 Sabalenka
Sabalenka gets a look at an Anisimova second serve, they get into a rally but Anisimova loses her footing and misses. 3-1 Sabalenka
DOUBLE FAULT! Is this the final slipping away from Anisimova? 4-1 Sabalenka
Sabalenka finds a big serve and she's almost there. 5-1 Sabalenka
Another fine serve, Anisimova driven wide and Sabalenka mops up. Five championship points. 6-1 Sabalenka
She lets the first of those pass her by. 6-2 Sabalenka
Anisimova goes for the ace down the middle, it's wide. Sabalenka climbs into the second serve with too much gusto and goes long. 6-3 Sabalenka
Sabalenka has the serve here. First one is a let. We go again. Nails the serve this time and Anisimova's backhand is into the tramline. 7-3 Sabalenka
Second set
*Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 6-6 Amanda Anisimova
A net cord works in Sabalenka's favour for 15-0 before the champion goes long. Not a bad time for an ace. 30-15. Next up she uses the pace on Anisimova's ball to ping a lovely, improvised winner. She closes out the game for an excellent hold. We're going to a tiebreak.
Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 5-6 Amanda Anisimova*
Anisimova, from nowhere, running hot again. 15-0, then she gets down low to thread a glorious forehand down the line. Back comes Sabalenka, 30-15. Now they rally, Sabalenka nets. 40-15. Ah, a double fault as Anisimova goes for the slice outside. Very on brand for this match. 40-30. This first serve is in and Sabalenka's backhand crosscourt is long. From serving for the championship, Sabalenka is serving to stay in the set.
*Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 5-5 Amanda Anisimova
Hello, hello. A clattering first-serve return from Anisimova that has Sabalenka grasping forlornly. Another safe serve gets the treatment. 0-30. A fault. How are your nerves? Ohhhh, a 97 mph second serve is on the money and Anisimova hooks wide. 15-30. The next Anisimova return is short and Sabalenka swats it away. Two points from the title. Oh my, that's a howling miss! Anisimova is off the court but Sabalenka mistimes her jump and nets the overhead. 30-40, serve into the net. The second is good, but not as good as the ferocious ground strokes that get Anisimova the break for 5-5!
Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 5-4 Amanda Anisimova*
Anisimova has struggled to hold all afternoon but simply must do so now. She finds a couple of nice serves to get to 30-0. Now a fault, but he second serve is well directed and Sabalenka's return is long. Another fault but Anisimova keeps it together and gets into a rally that Sabalenka cannily wins. Hmmm, it'd be good for Anisimova to rediscover that first serve. She nets a backhand and now it's 40-30. Anisimova makes it this time. Sabalenka will serve for back-to-back US Open titles.
*Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 5-3 Amanda Anisimova
A key game opens with an Anisimova unforced error. Sabalenka moves to 30-0, look to have control of the next rally but nets. It's all guts and tenacity from Anisimova at this point. She'd be long gone here without those qualities. Two game points for Sabalenka and her rival sends a backhand long.
Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 4-3 Amanda Anisimova*
A couple of keenly contested points have us at 15-15. Then a double fault and an error. Anisimova's match in microcosm right there. Sabalenka with a blistering return for his fifth break of the contest. She's two games from glory.
*Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 3-3 Amanda Anisimova
Oh, what's this? Sabalenka's concentration has drifted here to slip to 0-30. And now a double fault for 0-40. What sort of a thing ishappening here. Anisimova absolutely creams a backhand and, somehow, the set is level!
Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 3-2 Amanda Anisimova*
Ah, here we are. Anisimova to 30-0, only to put a routine forehand into the net. Nevertheless, she gets to game point and the crowd are willing her to take care of business here. Big serve down the middle, then she gets a little lucky with a net cord and Sabalenka nets.
Aryna Sabalenka* 6-3 3-1 Amanda Anisimova
Sabelenka looks watertight once more. Anisimova trying everything, going for everything but rolls her eyes ruefully when she's off target with the forehand for 40-15. Sabalenka tidies up the game and the momentum is all heading one way.
Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 2-1 Amanda Anisimova*
Unreal defence from Sabalenka, who then scoots to the net to retrieve an Anisimova drop shot to get to 0-30. Anisimova gets on the board. She's almost long in the next rally, then nets anyway. That's an 11th unforced forehand error. Sabalenka has made two and has two break points. Anisimova can save the first, but not the second! Sabalenka a set and a break ahead. It's really hard to see her letting this slip from here.
*Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 1-1 Amanda Anisimova
Sabalenka's service games just don't feel anywhere near as chaotic and you'd imagine that will be telling in the final analysis. She holds to love in the blink of an eye to shovel the pressure back onto Anisimova.
Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 0-1 Amanda Anisimova*
Anisimova gets us underway after a conflab with her coaching team and some complaints to the umpire, seemingly about the floodlights. She's struggling with her ball toss, but I'm not sure what the umpire is supposed to do. Change all the bulbs? Anyway, 15-15 and Anisimova nails this next serve to make for a short point. Here's the frustration again as Anisimova gets to 40-15 and then plonks a forehand errantly into the net. And a double fault for deuce. This is starting to look like a huge test of Anisimova's temperament as the crowd tries to rouse her. It works. She hangs in and Sabalenka errs for advantage. Still Anisimova is grumbling about the lights. This first serve is just 93 mph and Sabalenka gobbles it up. Deuce. Anisimova gets a game point and, as the game ticks up to six minutes, an ace! Massive hold.
First set
*denotes server
*Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 Amanda Anisimova
Sabalenka gets to 30-0 unfussily before another howitzer return from Anisimova gets the locals roaring. She's long in the next rally though and we have two set points. A fine serve from Sabalenka and Anisimova pulls a forehand return wide. First set to the world No. 1 and reigning champion.
Sabalenka 5-3 Amanda Anisimova*
Anisimova gets on the board first but is understandably exasperated as she chucks in a double fault. Here's another and it's 15-40, two break points for Sabalenka and big moments in this first set. She's into the rally this time but her backhand is wildly wide. Sabaleka will serve for the set.
*Aryna Sabalenka 4-3 Amanda Anisimova
Holding serve becoming an ordeal and Anisimova is first on the board here before going long twice. Aggression is the key for her here, but maybe she can dial back a touch. That's another spectacular return, though, that Sabalenka can only drill into the net. 30-30. She's long this time. Game point for Sabalenka. That will do the champion some good as she holds her own in a rally before Anisimova puts one of her favourite backhands just long.
Aryna Sabalenka 3-3 Amanda Anisimova*
Sabalenka looks like someone who is very aware she's already lost two slam finals this year. She needs a response and, handily, Anisimova is suddenly in a generous mood. Errors flow from her racquet and it's a break to love. All square again.
*Aryna Sabalenka 2-3 Amanda Anisimova
Sabalenka has no answer when Anisimova's returns are hot and we're at 0-30. The champion slugs her way to a couple of points, concluding with a clattering forehand at the top of the bounce to level things up. Sabalenka looks to put something extra on this second serve but Anisimova reads it and nails it. Break point. Another fabulous return and Sabalenka goes long. Three games in a row and a two breaks for Anisimova.
Aryna Sabalenka 2-2 Amanda Anisimova*
Sabalenka shows her own backhand is not to be sniffed at with a fabulous return for 15-15. Anisimova drives her back to win the next point. She's not intention of engaging reverse gears. Oh, that's unusual. Sabalenka completely misreads an Anisimova serve and is almost hit by it. She wants a let call but it isn't coming. Anisimova makes the most of her 40-15 advantage to close out the game and we're all square.
*Aryna Sabalenka 2-1 Amanda Anisimova
Sabalenka races to 30-0. She senses an opportiunity to put her foot down here. Anisimova grimaces towards her coaching team but Sabalenka does her a favour by going long and then making a hash of a drop shot. 30-30. Wow, that'll do it! A dreamy backhand down the line from Anisimova earns a break point. Fault... Sabalenka makes the second and they trade brutally from the back of the court. Anisimova prevails! At the 15th time of asking she has won a game in a grand slam final.
Aryna Sabalenka 2-0 Amanda Anisimova*
They trade points again as a big Anisimova serve gets us to 15-15. Ohhhh, there's a dreamy forehand winner, clocking 86 mph. 30-15. Anisimova risks going long on the backhand and then does so on the forehand side. Fine defence from Sabalenka forcing the error for 30-30. Fault, second serve plonked into the middle of the box and then Anisimova pulls the backhand wide. She needs to settle here, break point Sabalenka. Oh dear, Anisimova goes way long with her forehand. The challenger had three break opportuntunities and couldn't take any, the champion takes her first.
*Aryna Sabalenka 1-0 Amanda Anisimova
Off we go. Sabalenka's first serve is on point as she races into a 30-0 lead before we get a first viewing of Anisimova's formidable backhand. And another, boom! 30-30 and Sabalenka double-faults to cough up a break point. Ragged from the World No. 1, who appeared to lose her ball toss and nets her next serve. She goes to the backhand with the second serve and Anisimova climbs into it...just wide. Deuce. Anisimova gets chance to look at another second serve and lean into another backhand return. She takes care of business at the net. Second break point, Anisimova goes just long. This is a better serve from Sabalenka, but she nets a routine forehand to give up break point No. 3. She keeps going to the backhand on second serve, but this is a decent one and Anisimova is long again. Finally a game point for Sabalenka, errors from both players demonstrating the understandable tension. First serve down the middle, Sabalenka in charge and Anisimova shanks a backhand. The champion gets out of the game
(All times Eastern)
4:15 p.m: Here they come. Anisimova might be from just over the Hudson River in New Jersey but there's a lot of love for both players, with Sabalenka attempting to become the first woman to retain the US Open title since Serena Williams in 2014.
4 p.m: The players will be with us shortly. For now, we get to enjoy an acoustic version of America the Beautiful by Brittney Spencer.
3:30 p.m: This will be the 10th meeting between Sabalenka and Anisimova and their sixth on the grand slam stage. Indeed, it's their third clash in as many majors this year. Anisimova set up her ill-fated Wimbledon final meeting with Swiatek by beating top seed Sabalenka in the semis, while the Belarusian won in straight sets in the last 16 at Roland-Garros. Anisimova leads the overall head-to-head 6-3, although they have three wins apiece in the past six meetings.
3 p.m: There have been few more chastening sights in sports this year than Anisimova suffering that 6-0 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final. The 24-year-old showed immense strength of character to overcome Swiatek in the quarterfinals here. She faces another when she steps out on another of tennis' banner occasions today.
2:30 p.m: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the 2025 US Open women's singles final between world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and home hope Amanda Anisimova. It's been a successful and turbulent year for both women on the biggest stage. The players will take to Arthur Ashe Stadium at around 4 p.m. local time.
How to watch Aryna Sabalenka vs. Amanda Anisimova
Sabalenka and Anisimova's duel will air on ESPN and Tennis Channel nationally. Cord-cutters can follow the action on ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
US Open 2025 tennis schedule
Here's a look ahead at the final week of action at the 2025 US Open.
| Events | Date |
| Women's Finals, Men's Doubles Final | Saturday, September 6 |
| Men's Finals | Sunday, September 7 |