Aryna Sabalenka cemented her status as tennis' dominant force Saturday, defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3) to become the first woman since Serena Williams (2012-2014) to win consecutive US Open championships. The Belarusian powerhouse secured her fourth career Grand Slam title in a match showcasing both raw power and nerve-testing tension.
While Sabalenka's trademark power shots proved decisive, the final moments tested her resolve. Serving for victory at 5-4 in the second set, a crucial overhead miss gave Anisimova break point. The American capitalized, sending the match to a tiebreaker where Sabalenka's 21-1 record this year proved decisive.
"All those tough lessons were worth this one," said Sabalenka, referencing her three previous major finals losses in 2024. The victory prevents her from becoming the first woman since 2006 to lose three Grand Slam finals in a single season.
The match marked a career resurgence for Anisimova, who stunned Sabalenka at Wimbledon earlier this year. The New York crowd roared support for the 24-year-old American during her second-set comeback attempt, creating one of the tournament's most electric atmospheres.
Sabalenka's win extends her hardcourt dominance, with all four major titles coming on this surface. The result reinforces her World No. 1 ranking while sparking discussions about her potential to challenge Serena Williams' record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
