US Open: Sabalenka successfully defends title as Alcaraz returns to world no. 1 with victory

The 2025 US Open finals took place over the weekend, and it was nothing short of explosive and served as a proper way to end the final grand slam of the year.

Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her title against Amanda Anisamoa, while Carlos Alcaraz defeated Jannik Sinner in their third meeting at a grand slam final this year alone.

Sabalenka won 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) by being quite tactical in her approach. Anisimova started on a high tempo, immediately pressuring Sabalenka with three break points in the opening game, but failed to convert.

Sabalenka broke early to go up 2-0, showing she could absorb the early intensity. Anisimova managed to break back to 3-2 but then faltered with two double faults at 5-3, which Sabalenka capitalised on to take the set.

In the second set, Anisimova’s power remained a threat, and she broke to lead 2-1, creating tense moments where Sabalenka appeared rattled.

Anisimova hit 7 double faults in the match, a sign of nerves, and her 29 unforced errors outweighed her 22 winners, which undermined her otherwise aggressive game. 

Sabalenka’s approach involved countering Anisimova’s pace and forcing errors. The set was closely fought, with several momentum swings, but neither player could close it out before the tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, Sabalenka let her experience guide her. She took control quickly, securing mini breaks on sharp returns and varying her shots with well-placed drops and angled groundstrokes that brought Anisimova out of position. 

Sabalenka won the tiebreak 7-3, clinching her fourth Grand Slam and a rare consecutive US Open title. She became the first woman since Serena Williams to achieve back-to-back titles at Flushing Meadows.

For the men’s final, Alcaraz beat Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 for his second Grand Slam title of the year. The Spaniard did not waste time before breaking Sinner twice in the first set by forcing short balls with heavy topspin and quick angles, followed by sharp crosscourt winners.

His return game was especially strong, consistently putting pressure on Sinner’s serve.

Sinner bounced back in the second set with more baseline hitting and by taking control of rallies early. He varied his shots more, mixing drop shots and deep drives to disrupt Alcaraz’s rhythm, allowing him to break serve and take the set.

However, in the third set, Alcaraz intensified his gameplay, improving his serve first-serve percentage and using his speed to retrieve Sinner’s strokes, forcing errors and concluding points with forehand winners.

In the fourth set, Alcaraz broke Sinner early with a backhand return and maintained his lead with solid serving and controlled exchanges. Sinner fought to stay in rallies but was unable to prevent Alcaraz from dictating play with depth and precision.

With the victory, Alcaraz returned to the top of the men’s ranking and has now extended his grand slam titles to six.