Billionaires

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka Matches Serena Williams’ Feat At US Open


In her first two Grand Slam singles finals of 2025, Aryna Sabalenka lost in devastating fashion to American women.

But in her third Slam final against an American opponent this year, the world No. 1 won the title.

And she did it on American soil.

In a battle of two of the biggest hitters in the women’s game, Sabalenka topped No. 8 Amanda Anisimova, 6-3, 7-6(3) in a jam-packed Arthur Ashe Stadium, to defend her US Open title and win the fourth major crown of her career.

The match was played under the closed roof in Ashe due to heavy rains in New York ahead of the final.

Sabalenka is the first woman to defend her US Open title since Serena Williams went back-to-back in 2013-14. A year ago, she defeated another American woman, Jessica Pegula, in the final.

“Well, it’s crazy, you know,” Sabalenka said on court. All those tough lessons [in Slam finals are] worth this one. I’m speechless right now.

“Congrats, Amanda on reaching back-to-back finals on the Slams. I know how much it hurts losing in the finals but trust me you’re going to win your first one. You play incredible tennis.”

In the tiebreak, Sabalenka raced out to a 6-1 lead, going for it from the baseline and taking advantage of some Anisimova errors. Sabalenka won it with a service winner and then fell to the ground on her knees.

Sabalenka improved to 4-3 in major finals, with all four wins coming on hardcourts, and won her 100th career match at a major.

She will take home $5 for winning the title, while Anisimova earned $2.5 million.

Sabalenka lost the Australian Open final to Madison Keys and the Roland Garros final to Coco Gauff – both in three sets.

At Wimbledon, she lost to Anisimova in the semifinals before Anisimova was dominated by Iga Swiatek, 6-0, 6-0 in the final.

Still, Anisimova rebounded to make another impressive run to a Grand Slam final, taking down world No. 2 Swiatek in straight sets in the quarterfinals and four-time major champion Naomi Osaka in three tough sets in the semis.

“It’s been a great summer,” Anisimova said on court. “Losing in two finals in a row is great but then it’s also super hard. I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today.

“I want to say congratulations to Aryna, but I’m in awe of what you accomplished.”

Anisimova is now No. 4 in the Live Rankings after reaching the Wimbledon and US Open finals.

In the first set, the players exchanged a series of breaks before Sabalenka broke again for 5-3 when the American hit a backhand wide. Sabalenka closed it out on her serve when the big-hitting Anisimova also misfired on her forehand.

Anisimova made 15 unforced errors in the first set against 13 winners.

Toward the end of the first set and beginning of the second, Anisimova appeared distracted by the lights and the roof, which were closed due to heavy rain in New York.

Sabalenka broke for 2-1 with a backhand winner.

Anisimova crushed a backhand winner that Sabalenka couldn’t get close to to break for 3-all in the second.

But Sabalenka broke back immediately for 4-3.

Serving for the match at 5-4, 30-all in the second set, Sabelenka blew a forehand overhead, hitting it into the net, and was then broken for 5-all.