It was a warm and rainy afternoon in New York when two power players, world number one Aryna Sabalenka and world number eight Amanda Anisimova, met at Arthur Ashe Stadium for the women’s singles final at the 2025 US Open on Saturday. It was a matchup that had the crowd happily abuzz: while Sabalenka, the defending champion, had yet to win a major this year, Anisimova—fresh from exciting wins over Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals and Naomi Osaka in the semis—was appearing in her second consecutive Grand Slam final, seeking her first major title.

The result? Victory for Sabalenka, 6-3, 7-6, making her the first woman to win the US Open two years in a row since Serena Williams in the 2010s.

Things got off to a strong start: after Sabalenka fought off three break points to hold her first service game and then broke Anisimova to take a 2–0 lead, Anisimova’s subsequent break, hold, and then break soon gave her a 3–2 lead. All the while, the crowd—which included Simone Ashley, Naomi Watts, Courteney Cox, Stephen Colbert, Chelsea Handler, Jon Hamm, Retta, Rosie Perez, Common, and basketball player Breanna Stewart—was volubly behind Anisimova, who was born in New Jersey, not that that seemed to bother Sabalenka much. Her focus was complete, and before long she’d won four straight games to claim the first set 6-3.

The second set offered a reset: despite remarking to her team—and, during the changeover, to the chair umpire—that she couldn’t see the ball when serving because of the lights (the roof was closed over Arthur Ashe due to the weather), Anisimova held her first service game. Sabalenka did the same before breaking Anisimova’s second game, showing off her shot variety—and capacity for some thrilling defensive play—along the way. Anisimova was not to be left too far behind, however, finding her way to a 3-3 draw after a helpful break.

Amanda Anisimova during the women’s final at the US Open on Saturday.

Photo: Getty Images