Aryna Sabalenka broke American hearts for a second straight year, defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) to claim a second straight US Open title in New York.

Sabalenka is the first woman since Serena Williams completed a hat-trick from 2012 to 2014 to win back-to-back titles at Flushing Meadows, and she needed an one hour and 34 minutes to prevail in straight sets despite a late wobble.

The world No.1 pockets an extraordinary US$5 million (A$7.6m) winner’s cheque as well as adding to her own legacy with a fourth grand slam title.

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Another grand slam final heartbreaker threatened late in the second set, however, when she was broken by Animisova when serving for the championship at 5-4.

The American crowd found full voice at the moment as they tried to inspire a stirring comeback by countrywoman Animisova, but Sabalenka recomposed herself to take the second set to a tiebreak, where she was no chance of being denied.

Belarus’s Aryna Sabalenka poses with the trophy after defeating USA’s Amanda Anisimova during their women’s singles final tennis match on day fourteen of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, on September 6, 2025. (Photo by TIMOTHY A.CLARY / AFP)Source: AFP

The Belarusian is formidable in tiebreaks, winning her last 20 and boasting a remarkable 21-1 record in them this year.

Sabalenka’s victory reaffirmed her undeniable status as the current queen of hard courts with all four of her major triumphs coming on the blue courts of New York and Melbourne.

She is also the queen of Minsk, the city of her birth, revealing in her winner’s speech that she was spurred on by messages of support from home.

“This morning I received a video from the tennis school where I started from the kids. They were cheering me on,” Sabalenka said.

“I was crying a little bit this morning. That was the moment where I realized I can’t let them down. I have to give them some positive vibes.”

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts after defeating Amanda Anisimova, of the United States, during the women’s finals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)Source: AP

Despite the 27-year-old’s impressive career record, the closing stages of this year’s grand slams had proven to be troublesome.

She began the year with a shock loss to Madison Keys in final of the Australian Open before blowing a fuse as she lost the decider at Roland Garros to another American in Coco Gauff.

“It’s been tough this year. In those finals I was really terrible towards you. But come on, it’s worth it right?” Sabalenka said to her team with a laugh.

Anisimova ended Sabalenka’s Wimbledon run in the semi-finals, and threatened to cause boil over again at various stages throughout Sunday morning AEST’s final.

Anisimova’s nerves were clear for all to see as her first service game was broken.

Alarm bells were ringing for the eighth seed as she was trounced 6-0, 6-0 by Iga Swiatek in her only previous grand slam final, at Wimbledon in July.

The 24-year-old complained almost relentlessly about the glare coming off the lights of the closed roof – due to wild weather outside – on Arthur Ashe Stadium playing havoc with her ball toss, and she served seven double faults for the match as the issue clearly weighed on her mind.

There were times when the momentum swung in Anisimova’s favour off the back of her thumping shot-making.

Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts at match point after defeating Amanda Anisimova, of the United States, during the women’s singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)Source: AP

There were five breaks of serve in the opening set with Sabalenka winning the first two games, Anisimova hitting back with three in a row before Sabalenka took four straight games to close out the set.

A tennis ball has rarely been hit harder in a women’s final with the pair of excellent returner trading thumping forehands to put the other under pressure.

That happened again when Sabalenka’s serve wobbled late in the second set, opening the door again for Anisimova, but it was quickly slammed shut by the champion.

“It’s been a great summer. Losing in two finals in a row is great but it’s also super hard,” Anisimova said.

“I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today.”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Aryna Sabalenka greets Amanda Anisimova of the United States after winning their Women’s Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2025 in New York City. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP

Sabalenka then had strong words of encouragement for her rival.

“All the tough lessons make this one worth it. I’m speechless right now,” she said.

“Congrats Amanda on reaching back-to-back slam finals. I know how much it hurts, losing in the final.

“But trust me, the moment you’re going to win the first one.. and you are going to win it.

“You play incredible tennis. Congrats to you and your team on the things you’ve achieved after your comeback.

“Girl, you’re gonna enjoy it even more after the tough losses in the final.”