No. 1 — in big, bold letters.
If there was any debate on the women’s side as to who is the best player in the world, Aryna Sabalenka made it clear in Queens over the last two weeks.
The top-ranked player in the world, needing to reach the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open to hold on to that ranking, became Flushing’s first repeat champion on the women’s side since Serena Williams won three in a row in 2012-14.
She did so somewhat routinely, dropping just one set all tournament.
The Belarusian superstar overcame a few shaky moments in each set, but managed to knock off rising American and eighth-seeded Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (3) in a mostly one-sided final Saturday afternoon inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning the U.S. Open on Sept. 6. EPA/Shutterstock
Sabalenka reached the semifinals of all four grand slams in 2025, losing in the finals at the Australian Open (Madison Keys) and French Open (Coco Gauff).
She atoned for those narrow misses at the U.S. Open. Sabalenka showed her mental toughness after failing to close out the match.
She held to force a tiebreaker, then won six consecutive points after Anisimova started it with a service ace.
Amanda Anisimova reacts during her match at the U.S. Open on Sept. 6. REUTERS
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates with her team after winning the U.S. Open on Sept. 6. Getty Images
Sabalenka closed it out on her serve.
When Anisimova’s return went wide, Sabalenka dropped to her knees, tears in her eyes.
At one point, Sabalenka won nine of 11 games in the match, overwhelming Anisimova with her consistency, precision and power.
Aryna Sabalenka in action in the US Open final on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Annie Wermiel / New York Post
Amanda Anisimova returns a shot on Saturday at the U.S. Open on Sept. 6, 2025. Annie Wermiel / New York Post
After requiring three sets to take down fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula in the semifinals, Sabalenka needed only 1 hour, 34 minutes to claim her fourth Grand Slam crown.
The first set was a roller coaster. Sabalenka started by fighting off three break points, then breaking Anisimova to go up 2-0.
Anisimova responded by reeling off three consecutive games, only to drop the final four, and lose the opening set.
The defending U.S. Open champion got better as the set went along, breaking Anisimova at love to get even at 3-3. She won 16 of the final 20 points of the set.
Anisimova lost three of her four service games, and was too inconsistent, committing 15 unforced errors, 11 more than Sabalenka.
In the first two games alone, she had five. Overall, she had 29.
The start of the second set saw Sabalenka continuing to find her serve, holding at love, while Anisimova was struggling with hers.
She was broken again in the third game of the set, Sabalenka ripping a backhand winner down the line.
Anisimova broke Sabalenka to get back to even at 3-3, but then lost her serve again.
She was given an opening and couldn’t take advantage of it, much like the first set.