Aryna Sabalenka has successfully defended her US Open title after defeating Amanda Anisimova in the women’s singles final.
Sabalenka is now a four-time Grand Slam champion, with two of those victories having arrived on the hard courts of the US Open.
The WTA number one defeated American Jessica Pegula in last year’s final, and has now done the same to her compatriot Anisimova.
Sabalenka clinched the title thanks to a 6-3, 7-6(7-3) success at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and is the first woman to defend her title since Serena Williams in 2024.
Martina Navratilova backed Iga Swiatek to win the US Open, but her favourite fell to Anisimova in the quarterfinals.
Martina Navratilova calls out ‘stupid’ rule in US Open women’s final
The tennis legend was on commentary duties for Anisimova’s final with Sabalenka, and called for a rule change after the Belarusian challenged a call early in the first set thinking it was a let when it was indeed uncalled by the umpire.
Navratilova said on Sky Sports Tennis: “That’s why we should just play it as a live ball. It’s such a stupid rule. I am really fed up with it.
“I have been talking about it for decades, it feels like! Why? Somebody made that rule 150 years ago and we have not changed it!”
Laura Robson suggests why key tennis rule hasn’t been changed during US Open final
Former British number one Laura Robson also watched the situation unfold, and was on hand to offer insight into the ruling.
She added: “Basically the technology is so unreliable that it’s the same kind of numbers being called when it’s just the chair umpire, so there was really no difference when they looked at the data amongst all the Slams whether it had the net machine.
“Half the time it wasn’t even working and most of the time it was the chair umpire calling it anyway. There is just not a reliable form of technology for that.”
Whether or not the rule will be looked at in more detail in the near future remains to be seen, with the incident ultimately not having an impact on the final outcome.
It was another intriguing battle between Sabalenka and Anisimova, who also met at the 2025 French Open and Wimbledon.
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| Win | 2023 | Australian Open | Hard | Elena Rybakina | 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
| Loss | 2023 | US Open | Hard | Coco Gauff | 6–2, 3–6, 2–6 |
| Win | 2024 | Australian Open | Hard | Zheng Qinwen | 6–3, 6–2 |
| Win | 2024 | US Open | Hard | Jessica Pegula | 7–5, 7–5 |
| Loss | 2025 | Australian Open | Hard | Madison Keys | 3–6, 6–2, 5–7 |
| Loss | 2025 | French Open | Clay | Coco Gauff | 7–6(7–5), 2–6, 4–6 |
| Win | 2025 | US Open | Hard | Amanda Anisimova | 6–3, 7–6(7–3) |
The Belarusian won their round of 16 clash in Paris, with the American then exacting her revenge in their London semifinal.
The current bragging rights have now returned to Sabalenka after their clash in New York, although Anisimova still impressively holds a 6-4 win-loss record.
