Sabalenka (L) Alcaraz (R) US Open Champions
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
The 2025 US Open capped off the final grand slam of the year in Flushing Queens, New York and from the very start, it was a roller coaster of matches that saw early upsets. It ended this past weekend that saw a repeat champion on the women’s side Saturday and another grand slam title for one of the youngest stars on the men’s side.
There were big expectations for both the USA men and women and for the most part, they didn’t disappoint. The first match saw defending women’s champion and #1 ranked Aryna Sabalenka take out Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-4. #4 American Jessica Pegula made quick work of Mayer Sherif. #10 Emma Navarro won in 2 sets as did McCartney Kessler and Catherine McNally. Hina lnoue fell to veteran Victoria Azarenka in 2 setts. On the men’s side, #2 Carlos Alcaraz, #4 Taylor Fritz and #7 Novak Djokovic made easy work of their opponents winning in 3 sets.
The following day men’s #1 ranked Jannik Sinner breezed through in 3 sets. Canadian and #25 ranked Felix Auger-Aliassme got the attention of the crowd by taking out Billy Harris. It was not a good day for the American women as 10 of them took the court, with 7 of them going home. Most notably was Venus Williams who perhaps played her final match at the US Open. #6 ranked Madison Keys, who was expected to make a deep run in the tournament was upset by unranked Renata Zarazua in 3 sets. 8 American men took the courts and 6 of them packed their racquets. #17 and annual fan favorite Francis Tiafoe advanced by taking out Yoshihito Nishoka in 3 sets.
Sinner continued his quest to get to the finals with another 3 set win. #14 Tommy Paul advanced and fellow American Brandon Holt lost in 3 sets. #2 lga Swiatek, #3 Coco Gauff #23 Naomi Osaka advanced as well as unranked Ashlyn Krueger and Hailey Baptiste.
Sabalenka, Pegula and Townsend moved on as well as Alcaraz, Fritz, Tiafoe and Djokovic. Things began to heat up starting the 5th day. Sinner, Paul and Auger-Aliassime advanced. Swiatek, Gauff and #8 and Amanda Anisimova from New Jersey kept their hopes alive.
The only surprise on day 6 was Navarro getting ousted by unranked Barbora Krejcikova. Sabalenka, Pegula, Townsend and Ann Li moved on. There were no upsets on either the men’s or women’s side until Townsend would lose to Krejcikova. Alcaraz, Fritz and Djokovic stayed their course.
As Sinner continued to do his thing, Aliasseime continued his dream run by taking out #15 Andrey Rublev. Swiatek and Anisimova advanced and all tennis fans were glued to the match-up of Gauff and Osaka. Gauff came into the math winning 3 of the 5 times they faces each other. Osaka evened the score winining in 2 sets. Alcaraz continued his undefeated sets while Djokvik took out Fritz in 4 sets looking to win an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam..
Sinner moved on in his quarterfinal match and Aliassimer showed his staying power by taking out #8 Alex De Minaur in 4 sets. Anisimova blitzed Swiatek in 2 sets and Osaka did the same to #11 Karolina Muchova. Setting up the smei-finals for the men and women.
Sabalenka would send Pegula home in 3 sets after losing the first set. The same for Anisimova who ended Osaka’s run. Friday saw Sinner end Aliassime dream taking him out in 4 sets while Alcaraz showed his youth by taking out the 37 year old Djokovic in 3 sets.
In winning the US Open for the second straight year, Sabalenka became the first woman to do so since Serena Williams did it from 2012-2014. It set up a epic men’s final between Sinner and Alcaraz. When they face each other prior to the Open in Cincinnati, Sinner had to withdraw due to illness. They split the first 2 sets and Alcaraz dominated the last 2 sets to win his second Grand Slam of the year after winning the French Open. The victory elevated Alcaraz to the #1 player in the ATP rankings.
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