Aryna Sabalenka, the world's No. 1 player, successfully defended her US Open title by defeating Amanda Anisimova with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (3). This victory marks Sabalenka's second consecutive US Open championship and her fourth Grand Slam title overall, all achieved on hard courts. She is the first woman to win the tournament in consecutive years since Serena Williams accomplished the feat between 2012 and 2014.
Sabalenka’s path to victory wasn't without its tense moments. In the second set, while serving for the match at 5-4, she mishit an overhead, giving Anisimova a break chance. Despite this, Sabalenka regained her composure and secured the win on her third match point after a tiebreak, bringing her year's tiebreak record to an impressive 20-1. The 27-year-old received a record prize of $5 million for her effort.
Anisimova, the No. 8 seed, was playing in her second consecutive Grand Slam final, having lost to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon earlier in the season. Despite the loss, the 24-year-old American is expected to rise to a career-high No. 4 in the new PIF WTA Rankings. Anisimova praised Sabalenka's accomplishments, saying, "I’m in awe of what you’ve accomplished." Sabalenka finished with 13 winners and 15 unforced errors, demonstrating a more conservative yet effective game plan.
