Tennis
U.S. Open
live
Updated 6s ago
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka (1) is taking on American Amanda Anisimova (8) in today’s U.S. Open women’s singles final.
World No. 1 Sabalenka has lost her two Grand Slam finals this year. As for Anisimova (8). As doe Anisimova, she reached her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in July before being thrashed 6-0, 6-0 by Iga Świątek.
Follow live updates from under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
GO FURTHER
How Aryna Sabalenka turned a classic U.S. Open comeback into the start of her tennis dominance
When it was announced that Amanda Anisimova is from New Jersey, Freehold Township to be precise, a massive roar echoed around Arthur Ashe.
She will be the significant home favorite today, if not the bookmakers' favorite.
Advertisement
Who said the following.
💬 “It means a lot. It's a dream and I'm living my dream live. I'm ready to go out there and do everything possible to get this win.
“For me, it's important to focus on myself and never doubt my shots and go for my shots.”
I didn't think Sabalenka was going to be holding back on her shots!
Speaking in the tunnel just off Arthur Ashe ahead of the match, Amanda Anisimova said:
💬 “I've been feeling very confident here and playing at my home slam is very special, so I've just been enjoying every step of the way.
“I'm super excited and I'm sure the crowd will be backing me today.”
A nice rendition of America The Beautiful courtesy of American singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer.
As is tradition, the ball kids help unfurl a large American flag on court during the song.
Up next, Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova stepping on court.
And playing America The Beautiful is singer-songwriter Brittney Spencer.
The microphone unfortunately doesn’t work for the first few lines of the song but thankfully kicks in eventually.
Advertisement
What I find interesting is just how close to each other the two finalists are standing.
It must be so tough not to eyeball them as you’re working out.
Only two minutes until the scheduled start of play here on Arthur Ashe.
Do not go anywhere.
Seated inside Arthur Ashe Stadium ahead of the women’s singles final.
There will be a pre-match ceremony, featuring a presentation of America The Beautiful.
As always, DJ Trizz is spinning the beats pumping up the crowd.
I overheard one fan say, “I’m so excited to be here!”
It’s the general feeling I get amongst fans in attendance. Here’s hoping it’s a competitive match.
Maybe it will be Coco Gauff, the last American woman to win a Grand Slam title. Maybe it will be Madison Keys or Jessica Pegula. Or Amanda Anisimova, this year’s Wimbledon and U.S. Open finalist today.
The next American woman ready to win her home Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows? Fans don’t have to look very far. Each of the last four Grand Slam singles finals has featured an American woman. Two of them, Gauff and Keys, lifted the trophy at the end.
“They’re just darn good athletes with complete games,” two-time U.S. Open champion Tracy Austin said. “Each one of them, you can look at and say, not a surprise. They are all different. They all seem to get along so well.”
What they have in common? Winning.
GO FURTHER
How the best American women’s tennis players rose to the top of Grand Slams and the sport
Down match point in a second-set tiebreak and on the verge of an unceremonious exit from the last Grand Slam of 2022, Aryna Sabalenka got lucky.
Her opponent, Kaia Kanepi, was in control of the rally, waiting for an easy volley to put their second-round U.S. Open match away. Instead, a net cord took the ball away from her and kept Sabalenka in the tournament.
Sabalenka came back to win, and summing up the duality of the match, said with a laugh: “It was a fun and really not fun match.”
The immediate story was a comeback from the brink of tennis despair. But what remains is her magnetism for drama as she seeks a so-far elusive Grand Slam title in 2025. Sabalenka wears her emotions on her sleeve like few in professional tennis.
So while the 2022 U.S. Open is a reminder of how far she’s come, and few of her matches since have been as dramatic as the Kanepi win, we shouldn’t rule out another New York thriller or two from the world No. 1 today.
This article is part of our New York Court Classics series, a special feature produced by The Athletic looking back at classic U.S. Open performances, iconic athletes and timeless moments.
GO FURTHER
How Aryna Sabalenka turned a classic U.S. Open comeback into the start of her tennis dominance
Advertisement
The skies have opened and it’s pouring rain on site at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Fans are wearing ponchos and holding umbrellas before entering Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Thank goodness for the roof.
Showcasing a level of sartorial excellence to which many of us can only aspire.
As Matt Law mentioned on The Tennis Podcast, tonight’s final will be a good judge for just how far Amanda Anisimova has come since that bruising 6-0, 6-0 defeat against Iga Świątek in the Wimbledon final in July.
Yes, she beat Świątek in the quarterfinal here, but has she come all the way back?
Only her second Grand Slam final, neither at Wimbledon nor against the Pole, will go a long way to determining that.
As Matt Law said on The Tennis Podcast, Sabalenka stepped up when she needed to against Jessica Pegula in the semifinal.
She will need that kind of emotional control and consistency again tonight.
🎾 Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Amanda Anisimova (8)
The tennis balls in this match will need an ice bath when it is done.
Sabalenka and Anisimova are two of the heaviest hitters on the WTA Tour, but they have both added to their games of late.
Sabalenka has been incorporating more touch and feel the past two years, while Anisimova has worked on her movement after losing 6-0, 6-0 against Iga Świątek in the Wimbledon final 56 days ago.
Sabalenka has played two Grand Slam finals this year, losing both to Americans. Anisimova won their last meeting at Wimbledon.
The stakes are high even outside of the trophy: a barnburner should be in store.
Advertisement
The night session at Flushing Meadows is due to begin shortly, and just as Charlie Eccleshare outlined in this video earlier, that brings plenty of noise.
And when the final of the women’s singles is coming up, who can blame them?
Moreover, the fact the final will be played under the roof due to the inclement weather will mean that noise will echo and bounce around Arthur Ashe Stadium tonight, atmospherically.
We can't wait.
GO FURTHER
At the U.S. Open, tennis etiquette no longer rules. Some players want that to be the norm
Every year, Amanda Wight makes sure that a steady stream of A-listers get to see the world’s best tennis players — and be seen by millions on TV.
Essentially, she decides who’s famous enough for free U.S. Open tickets.
It’s a fascinating phenomenon, and one covered in detail for the New York Times by David Waldstein via this link here.
Here in Fountain Plaza and there’s great anticipation.
It’s the penultimate day of the U.S. Open and fans are walking with excitement, entering the stadium, grabbing merchandise or a Honey Deuce.
Dark rain clouds and thunder surround the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Rain is imminent so the roof will definitely be closed for today’s final.