Anisimova pummels a forehand out of Sabalenka's reach but loses the next couple of points and that brings up a break point for Sabalenka.

None of these service games are going to be easy are they?

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows

Everyone wants to be close to the action - even a white butterfly.

The winged insect floats behind the baseline as Sabalenka tries to get over the line - then the Belarusian stings like a bee to earn what could be an important hold.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

Anisimova's back hand has been struck bigger than any male or female player's this Championship. She has a very ease strike - everything looks in sync and on balance.

Anisimova is using shock tactics - she is coming out with so much force. You can sense the electricity of this crowd already.

Well that was much tougher than Sabalenka would've liked but she saves three break points and finally gets the hold over the line as Anisimova goes long.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows

The nightclub vibe on Ashe is over. Now it's down to the serious business of sport.

Sabalenka's body language is already as expressive as you'd imagine.

First, she stands still in shock as that first Anisimova winner dusts the paint.

Then, she gesticulates to her team after the double fault.

Strap yourself in for an emotional rollercoaster, folks.

Sabalenka sends down a good second serve to save break point but Anisimova's backhand is firing and she brings up another opportunity.

It's a similar story as a big serve gets Sabalenka out of trouble but Anisimova finds a third opportunity. Third time lucky?

Well for Anisimova all eyes are on how she starts. A bad start, like the one we saw at Wimbledon, is not what she will want.

But she's got off to a brilliant one here with two of those signature ripped backhands before Sabalenka double faults to hand over a break point.

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

The body language of Sabalenka warming up earlier, she looked stressed. Nervous and grumpy. She was missing a lot and there was a packed crowd watching her. She didn't look comfortable at all.

She specifically focused on her slice backhands - she did them over and over. That is an interesting tactic so we might see it used a lot today.

Sabalenka to serve first. Strap in folks. Away we go.

* denotes server

There has been an American in each of the last three US Open women's singles finals.

Coco Gauff won the title in 2023 before Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula last year and now Amanda Anisimova.

Will she make it two wins out of the last three tonight?

Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

The Wimbledon final was a lot of emotional expenditure for Anisimova. She revealed after that final that it shocked her every time she won a match. She has a different mindset coming into the US Open - she feels at ease and backs herself.

She will have enormous confidence from what she has achieved and has worked on herself mentally. She is one of the biggest stories in sport this year.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows

Image source, BBC Sport

Aryna Sabalenka marches out wearing headphones. Wonder if they’re a noise-cancelling set?

The volume is maxed out as the two finalists walk out.

Dance music pumping out of the PA system is boosted by the roars of almost 25,000 exciting fans.

Aryna Sabalenka actually received a similar amount of support from the American crowd as she stepped out on to court. The defending champion is a fan-favourite wherever she goes.

Here's what she said just before heading out:

"It means a lot. It's a dream - living my dream and I'm ready to go and ready to do anything possible to get this win.

"For me it's important to focus on myself and go for my shots."

Amanda Anisimova heads out onto court in front of her home crowd. A second Grand Slam final in as many months. She will have the majority of the support today.

Here's what the 24-year-old had to say in her pre-match interview:

"I've been very confident these past couple of weeks - playing at my home slam is special. Enjoying every step.

"Super excited. I'm sure the crowd will be backing me today."

Sabalenka has played one less match than Anisimova. Marketa Vondrousova pulled out of their quarter-final match with injury.

Anisimova was playing until the early hours in the semi-final.

Will any of that come into play?

I always find it so strange that before a huge final the two players are warming up in the same little room. Would you start whispering things to put them off? Jumping in front of them as they try to warm up. I probably would to be honest.

Anyway, the pre-match ceremony is under way.

The roof is on over Arthur Ashe as the storm brews outside in New York.

And shortly there'll be a storm brewing inside as two of the best ball-strikers in the women's game go for the US Open title.

Amanda Anisimova's 2025 Grand Slam record:

Australian Open - round two

French Open - round four

Wimbledon - runner-up

US Open - ??

Revenge. Redemption. Call it what you want. This was an absolute moment at this year's US Open.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

What a 12 months or so it has been for Amanda Anisimova.

From failing to qualify for Wimbledon to reaching the final at SW19.

From a demoralising defeat by Iga Swiatek in that final to reaching the showpiece in New York just two months later.

Anisimova herself admits that a few years ago that resilience and ability to bounce back would not be there.

But a seven-month mental health break two years ago has significantly shifted her mindset.

"I have really shifted with my attitude. The last few weeks it's been a different feeling. When I was at Wimbledon, every single match was a surprise to me. I was shocked with every match that I won," she said.

"But here it feels more I believe in myself, and I'm able to do it. That's been the shift for me."