World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka silenced the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd with a commanding display, defeating home favorite Amanda Anisimova in straight sets to successfully defend her US Open crown. The 27-year-old Belarusian seized control early, capitalizing on Anisimova’s nerves and emotional struggle to seal a 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) triumph and capture her seventh singles Grand Slam title.
Sabalenka takes charge from the start
Right from the opening games, Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline play kept Anisimova on the back foot. The American, cheered on by a partisan home crowd, looked dejected as unforced errors piled up under the relentless pressure. Sabalenka wasted no time in wrapping up the first set 6-3, asserting her authority in the final.
The second set, however, offered Anisimova a glimmer of hope as she fought back to push it into a tiebreak. But Sabalenka’s composure and heavy hitting proved too much, as she closed the match with a decisive 7-3 breaker, leaving Amanda Anisimova visibly emotional at the net.
A milestone victory for the World No.1
This triumph marked Aryna Sabalenka’s 100th career tennis victory, underlining her consistency and dominance on the biggest stages. More significantly, the win etched her name in the history books as the first women’s player since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend the US Open title.
Despite the celebrations in New York, the journey to this achievement was anything but smooth. Sabalenka had endured heartbreak at the season’s other three Grand Slams, falling short at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. But her resilience and ability to peak at Flushing Meadows once again reinforced her reputation as one of the fiercest competitors of her generation.
Anisimova’s bittersweet run
For Amanda Amanda Anisimova, the US Open final was an emotional rollercoaster. While she displayed flashes of brilliance throughout the tournament, the final against Aryna Sabalenka proved a step too far. The 24-year-old American, once heralded as one of the sport’s brightest prospects, will take heart from reaching her maiden US Open final but left the court visibly distraught after the loss.
What this means for Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka’s back-to-back victories at Flushing Meadows not only cement her dominance in women’s tennis but also reaffirm her ability to rise under pressure. With seven Grand Slam titles to her name and momentum firmly on her side, the question now shifts to whether she can replicate this form across all surfaces in 2026.