NEW YORK (AP) – Aryna Sabalenka will be competing for her fourth Grand Slam title and her second consecutive U.S. Open championship, facing Amanda Anisimova in the women's final at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday. The match is highly anticipated, with Sabalenka, the No. 1 seed, looking to secure her place in history.
The 27-year-old Belarusian has had a tumultuous yet remarkable year, participating in her third major title match of 2025, each against American contenders. Earlier this year, she lost to Madison Keys at the Australian Open in January and again to Coco Gauff at the French Open in June. However, she triumphed over an American rival, Jessica Pegula, in last year's U.S. Open final, aiming to be the first woman to win consecutive U.S. Open titles since Serena Williams in 2012-2014.
Savalenka's journey also saw her exit in the semifinals at Wimbledon in July at the hands of none other than Anisimova, setting up a compelling narrative for their upcoming final. Anisimova, a 24-year-old American, boasts a career head-to-head advantage over Sabalenka, leading 6-3. Born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, Anisimova has had her share of ups and downs in her career, including an extraordinary year that has seen her rise back to prominence after a hiatus.
Following her surprising victory against Sabalenka at Wimbledon, Anisimova found herself in her first Grand Slam final against Iga Swiatek, where she suffered a tough defeat with a score of 6-0, 6-0. Despite that setback, she managed to mentally recover, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Anisimova went on to successfully defeat Swiatek again in the U.S. Open quarterfinals and progressed to the semifinals where she overcame four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, marking her second consecutive major final and the second of her career.
Anisimova's youthful talent was first displayed when she won the junior title at the U.S. Open in 2017. Two years later, at the age of 17, she made an impressive run to the semifinals of the French Open as a professional. However, in 2023, Anisimova announced a break from the tour due to burnout, which saw her ranking plummet outside the top 350. It was a long journey back to form as she battled through challenges; even a year ago, she hovered around the No. 50 mark in rankings.
Nevertheless, her breakthrough performance at Wimbledon not only rejuvenated her career but also catapulted her into the top 10, where she is now seeded No. 8 at the U.S. Open. With a compelling narrative and two players eager for victory, the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium promises to be an electrifying encounter, blended with personal challenges, resilience, and the pursuit of tennis greatness.
Howard Fendrich, The Associated Press
