Aryna Sabalenka has etched her name deeper into tennis history, defeating Amanda Anisimova in straight sets to retain her US Open title and confirm her status as the sport’s most formidable hard-court player of the moment.
The Belarusian world No. 2 delivered a performance brimming with power and poise, sweeping aside the American challenger 6-3, 6-4 under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. It marked the second consecutive year Sabalenka has lifted the trophy in New York, making her only the sixth woman in the Open Era to successfully defend the championship.
For much of the final, Sabalenka was in complete command. Her first serve—hitting 10 aces and consistently clocking above 115 mph—kept Anisimova on the defensive. Off the baseline, she dictated play with blistering forehands that repeatedly pierced the corners.
Anisimova, contesting her first Grand Slam final, showed flashes of her immense talent. She rallied from an early break in the second set and briefly threatened to force a decider, but unforced errors at crucial moments undercut her momentum. Still just 23, the American leaves Flushing Meadows with renewed confidence after rediscovering her rhythm following injury setbacks in recent seasons.
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Sabalenka, meanwhile, showed no signs of letting the occasion overwhelm her. If last year’s triumph was her breakthrough, this one felt like confirmation—a champion not just of the moment, but of staying power.
“This place brings out the best in me,” Sabalenka told the crowd during the trophy ceremony, beaming as she hoisted the silverware again. “To win here back-to-back means the world. Amanda pushed me hard tonight, and I know she’ll be back in finals soon.”
The victory cements Sabalenka’s credentials as the biggest threat to Iga Świątek’s dominance at the top of the women’s game. With two US Opens and an Australian Open already in her collection, she is building a résumé that demands mention among the greats of her generation.
For New York, she has become a fixture: the queen of Queens, twice crowned, with the roar of Arthur Ashe Stadium echoing her reign.