The stage is set for a blockbuster showdown at Arthur Ashe Stadium, as American Amanda Anisimova prepares to face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open women’s singles final on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The anticipation is electric—fans are abuzz, and the tennis world is watching closely as two of the sport’s most dynamic talents collide for the Grand Slam crown.
Anisimova’s journey to her first US Open final is the stuff of sporting legend. The 24-year-old, born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, has been a name to watch since she captured the 2017 US Open junior title by defeating Coco Gauff. Her professional ascent was rapid: a French Open semifinal at just 17 years old in 2019, followed by a few years of ups and downs—including a mental-health break in 2023 due to burnout. But 2025 has been a remarkable year of resurgence for the American, who is now the youngest player since the Williams sisters in 2002 to reach both the US Open and Wimbledon women’s singles finals in the same season.
The route to Saturday’s final has tested Anisimova’s grit and mental fortitude. In this year’s Wimbledon final, she suffered a humbling 6-0, 6-0 defeat at the hands of Iga Swiatek—a loss that could have derailed her confidence. Instead, it became fuel for her fire. “It just shows that I have worked really hard, especially on my mental game and not giving up,” Anisimova said after her US Open semifinal win. “Like today, I could have easily said, ‘Oh, she’s playing better than me, and I can’t really do anything.’ I really tried to find any way I could to stay in the match. I think I have really done a better job of that, and especially since the Wimbledon final. I think I have really shifted with my attitude as well.”
Her semifinal clash against four-time major champion Naomi Osaka was a marathon—2 hours and 56 minutes of high-octane tennis, with Anisimova rallying from a set down to win 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3. The late-night battle, played under the bright lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, saw the crowd firmly behind the American. “Oh my god, it means the world,” Anisimova exclaimed on court, still breathless after the win. “This has been a dream of mine, like, forever to be in the US Open final—and obviously, the hope is to be the champion.”
Anisimova’s run is not just a personal triumph; it extends a remarkable streak for American women’s tennis. With her victory, American women have now reached five consecutive Grand Slam finals—a feat not seen since the days of Serena and Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati in 2002. The streak includes Madison Keys’ run at the 2025 Australian Open, Coco Gauff’s triumph at the French Open, Anisimova herself at Wimbledon, and Jessica Pegula’s 2024 US Open appearance. For Anisimova, this is her second straight Slam final—a testament to her consistency and growing maturity on the biggest stages.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, is no stranger to these moments. The 27-year-old Belarusian enters Saturday’s final as the world No. 1 and defending US Open champion, having lifted the trophy in 2024. Her path to this year’s final included a gritty 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Jessica Pegula in the semifinals—a match that saw Sabalenka prevail by just two points overall. Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster: runner-up finishes at the Australian Open (to Madison Keys) and French Open (to Coco Gauff), and a Wimbledon semifinal loss to none other than Anisimova herself. In fact, all three of her Grand Slam defeats this year have come at the hands of American players, a trend she’ll be determined to reverse in New York.
Reflecting on her Wimbledon loss to Anisimova, Sabalenka was candid about her struggles. “I have to trust myself, and I have to go after my shots. I felt like in that match at Wimby, I was doubting a lot my decisions, and that was the main thing that was bringing a lot of unforced errors,” Sabalenka admitted after her semifinal win. “I gave her a lot of opportunities, and of course, she played incredible tennis, but I feel like I had my opportunities. I didn’t use them.”
Saturday’s final is more than just a battle for the title—it’s a clash of styles and mentalities. Sabalenka is renowned for her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play, while Anisimova’s return game and first-strike tennis have been her calling cards. Both players have demonstrated resilience under pressure this fortnight, but the edge may come down to who manages the moment better. Sabalenka is the favorite with odds at -200, but Anisimova, buoyed by the home crowd and her newfound mental toughness, is a dangerous underdog at +160.
It’s impossible to ignore the psychological undertones of this matchup. Anisimova has already proven she can beat Sabalenka on the biggest stage, having toppled her in the Wimbledon semifinals less than two months ago. Sabalenka, for her part, is seeking redemption—not just from that loss, but from a season of near-misses at the Slams. The American crowd will be firmly on Anisimova’s side, and if Sabalenka’s history of frustration in tense moments resurfaces, the energy in Arthur Ashe could play a pivotal role.
For Anisimova, reaching the US Open final is the realization of a lifelong dream. “This has been a dream of mine, like, forever to be in the US Open final—and obviously, the hope is to be the champion,” she said, echoing the hopes of American tennis fans everywhere. Her ability to rebound from setbacks, particularly the Wimbledon final debacle, has impressed even her critics. She admitted to watching the painful Swiatek match the night before her US Open quarterfinal against the same opponent, determined to learn and grow from the experience. “I have really worked on myself to really be able to handle those moments and to believe in myself, even when it feels like, ‘What is there to believe in?’ in a way, when you’re not playing that well,” she explained. “I have really done a better job of that.”
Sabalenka, meanwhile, is chasing her fourth Grand Slam title and a second consecutive US Open crown—a feat last accomplished by Serena Williams, who won three straight in New York from 2012 to 2014. Her experience on the biggest stages is undeniable, but she knows that Anisimova is a formidable challenger, especially given their recent history.
The final is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 6, at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with coverage on ESPN and streaming available via Fubo. As the tennis world turns its eyes to New York, one thing is certain: this final promises fireworks, drama, and a new chapter in the rivalry between two of the game’s brightest stars.
With both players hungry for redemption and glory, and American tennis riding a wave of momentum, Saturday’s final is set to be an unforgettable spectacle. Whether Anisimova claims her maiden Slam or Sabalenka cements her dominance, fans are in for a treat as the US Open women’s singles champion is crowned under the bright lights of New York.
