With the US Open finals all set, the Tennis Channel team has made their predictions for the outcome of the final, with a variety of answers being chosen.
In the women's final, world number one Aryna Sabalenka has the chance to confirm her fourth Grand Slam title and to extend her gap at the top of the rankings with a win, but comes up against the world number nine Amanda Anisimova, who has reached a second Grand Slam final in a row after being demolished in the Wimbledon final against Iga Swiatek. The American managed to spark her revenge against the world number two in this US Open, defeating the Pole in straight sets to set up an intriguing tie.
It is a lot more routine in the men's, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz facing off again for the third consecutive Grand Slam final. The last time one of these guys was not in a major final was this time two years ago. Alcaraz came out on top in a thriller at Roland Garros, whilst Sinner got his own back in Wimbledon. The pair have also encountered each other in two Masters 1000 finals, with the Spaniard coming out on top in both of them. Either player will leave New York with their second US Open title, with Sinner having the chance to go level with his arch-rival in Grand Slams won.
Roger Federer's former coach Paul Annacone is hedging his bets on Sabalenka coming out on top in the women's final, whilst backing Alcaraz to win in Sunday's final. When asked by the Tennis Channel, he said: "Aryna Sabalenka. Sabalenka has had a bumpy year (for her standards) but I think will come out and play great tennis on Satruday. Across the net, Anisimova has shown her true resolve to play at this level after having a very Sobering Saturday in Wimbledon final debut. She not only avenged her loss to Iga Swiatek but backed it up with great tennis beat Naomi Osaka in the semis. Still, I ultimately think Sabalenka’s athleticism and experience will be a little too much for Amanda.
"Both Alcaraz and Sinner have been playing the best tennis on the planet, making this the only fitting final to cap off the 2025 Grand Slam season. This is the best I have seen Carlos from the first round of any of his previous major campaigns. I think the boost from that momentum and his ability to play dynamic—north and south of the baseline in addition to east and west—will help him get this title. He will also be able to use some slice and variety of shot trajectory to try and break Sinner’s rhythm. Sinner has played great, as well, but Alcaraz will take this title."
Commentator Brett Haber also goes for the Spaniard, but mixes it up and predicts that Anisimova to win her maiden Grand Slam on home soil. "Anisimova already re-wrote the narrative from her Wimbledon final double-bagel by clipping Iga Swiatek in the quarters. Now she needs to finish the job against Sabalenka.
"Alcaraz was surgical against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals on Friday, while Sinner’s medical timeout during his four-set semifinal against Félix Auger-Aliassime gives me pause. It makes me think Carlitos could become the first man ever to win the US Open without dropping a set."
Fellow commentator Steve Weissman agrees with his colleague's picks. "This has become a tournament of destiny for Amanda. After what happened in the Wimbledon final, her positive attitude and powerful game have produced a redemption story that can only end with her first major final.
"The Spaniard has kept his electric game and big smile while becoming the most consistent player this fortnight. No sets or joy lost through six matches, culminating with a decisive semifinal victory over Novak Djokovic. The 1993 film Carlito’s Way was famously shot in NYC, and I think Carlitos will star as the King of Queens for a second time in his already-epic career."
Three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one Lindsay Davenport makes it a clean sweep for Alcaraz to win the ATP title, whilst backing her fellow countrywoman to taste victory for the first time.
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