NEW YORK — Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s No. 1 player, will attempt on Saturday to become the first woman to defend her U.S. Open title in 11 years when she takes on American Amanda Anisimova.
Serena Williams was the tournament’s last back-to-back champion, accomplishing the feat in 2014, the last of her six titles here.
Sabalenka, who beat Jessica Pegula in the semifinals, is in the U.S. Open final for the third consecutive year, and her third Grand Slam final in 2025. She lost the previous two finals to Americans: Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Coco Gauff at Roland Garros.
Anisimova's road to the finals at Flushing Meadows included an upset of Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals, avenging a 6-0, 6-0 beatdown six weeks ago in the Wimbledon final, and a three-set semifinal triumph over two-time U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka.
Anisimova, the No. 8 seed, has reached consecutive Grand Slam finals for the first time. She leads the head-to-head battle 5-3 against Sabalenka, including a semifinal victory at Wimbledon in July, which propelled her to the first Grand Slam final of her career. She will vault to a career No. 4 in the rankings regardless of Saturday's result.
