NEW YORK, USA — Amanda Anisimova has continued her remarkable comeback, fighting back from a set down to defeat Naomi Osaka in a thrilling semifinal match and earn a spot in her first career US Open final. After a grueling three-set battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the American advanced with a 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 victory. The win sets up a final showdown with reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka, in a rematch of their Wimbledon semifinal.
A Battle of Wills
As reported by The New York Times, the match was a back-and-forth affair defined by sheer will. Anisimova looked spent late in the second set but, as Osaka’s level dipped with unforced errors, the American seized the opportunity, winning the tiebreak to force a decider. The third set saw Anisimova find her form, hitting powerful, clean groundstrokes that pushed Osaka back. With the score tied 2-2 in the final set, Anisimova broke Osaka for the first time all night with a blistering forehand winner. From there, she never looked back, holding her serve to seal the victory. Anisimova’s win completes a remarkable turnaround after a humbling 6-0, 6-0 loss to Iga Świątek in the Wimbledon final just 54 days ago.
What the Winner Said
Following her emotional victory, Anisimova reflected on her journey. “It means the world to me,” she said in the post-match presentation. “This had been a dream of mine to become the champion.”
Looking Ahead to the Final
For a fifth consecutive Grand Slam, an American woman has reached the final. Anisimova, who has now made it to two Grand Slam finals in two months, will face a formidable challenge in Sabalenka. The world No. 1 is coming off her own three-set comeback win over Jessica Pegula in the earlier semifinal. With both players having evolved their games, the final promises to be a battle between two of the game’s most powerful hitters with a newfound strategic depth.
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