Tears flowed freely for Amanda Anisimova as she faced yet another heart-wrenching defeat in a Grand Slam final, this time at the US Open against Aryna Sabalenka. After an exhilarating two weeks at Flushing Meadows, the American star found herself in a familiar, painful position—coming agonizingly close to glory, only to fall short once again. This marks her second consecutive loss in a major final, mirroring her experience at Wimbledon just two months prior.
Entering the tournament as the 8th seed, Anisimova showcased her formidable talent and resilience. She sliced through the early rounds with precision, dispatching Australia’s Kimberly Birrell and Maya Joint in straight sets. However, her first true test came against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian, where she had to dig deep to secure a three-set victory (6-4, 4-6, 6-2), proving her mettle on the grand stage.
The second week of the tournament saw Anisimova facing increasingly stiff opposition, including Brazilian 18th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, whom she overwhelmed with a stunning 6-0, 6-3 performance. But the real drama unfolded in the quarterfinals against six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek. In a thrilling rematch of their Wimbledon showdown, Anisimova delivered a masterclass, outplaying Swiatek with a commanding 6-4, 6-3 victory that sent shockwaves through the tournament and set her up for a semifinal clash against Naomi Osaka.
In a gripping semifinal, Anisimova stunned the crowd by rallying from a set down to topple the four-time major champion Osaka in a nail-biting three-set match (6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3). This victory not only secured her spot in the final but also ignited hopes of a long-awaited Grand Slam triumph.
Facing Sabalenka in the championship match, Anisimova seemed poised to avenge her earlier loss at Wimbledon, where she had bested the Belarusian in a grueling three-set battle. With a history of victories against Sabalenka—winning six of their previous nine encounters—Anisimova approached the final with a sense of confidence. Yet, Sabalenka, fueled by determination after earlier disappointments in other major finals, proved to be an unyielding opponent.
From the opening serve, Sabalenka established herself as a formidable wall, countering Anisimova’s aggressive play with remarkable consistency. The match unfolded with both players showcasing their power, but ultimately, it was Sabalenka who capitalized on critical moments, securing a well-deserved victory and her fourth major title. Anisimova, despite her early aggression, fell victim to the pressure, leading to costly errors that sealed her fate.
As the final whistle blew, Anisimova’s devastation was palpable, her tears captured in a poignant video that quickly circulated on social media. She stood on the court, watching the preparations for the awards ceremony, a stark reminder of her near-miss. While she may have come away empty-handed once again, Anisimova’s remarkable journey through the tournament has propelled her to a career-high ranking of World No. 4, along with a solid position in the Race to the WTA Finals.
Despite the heartache of defeat, Anisimova’s tenacity and skill have undeniably marked her as a rising star in women’s tennis. Fans and analysts alike are left wondering when this talented athlete will finally break through and claim the Grand Slam title that has so far eluded her. One thing is certain: Amanda Anisimova’s journey is far from over, and her next chapter promises to be just as thrilling.
