American Amanda Anisimova reaches first US Open final, defeating Naomi Osaka in epic three-set battle to set up championship clash with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.
Key Takeaways:
- Anisimova defeats four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 in US Open semifinals
- Victory comes just 53 days after devastating 6-0, 6-0 loss to Iga Swiatek in Wimbledon final
- 24-year-old American will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final
- Anisimova becomes first player to defeat Osaka at advanced Grand Slam stage
- Match finished at nearly 1 AM after thrilling 2 hours, 56 minutes battle
The Comeback Story That Captivated Tennis
Amanda Anisimova’s journey to her first US Open final reads like a fairy tale. Just 53 days ago, the American suffered one of tennis’s most crushing defeats – a rare 6-0, 6-0 loss to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final. On Friday morning at Arthur Ashe Stadium, she completed one of the sport’s most remarkable turnarounds.
The 24-year-old from New Jersey defeated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in a thrilling three-set semifinal, winning 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 in a match that didn’t finish until nearly 1 AM. The victory sets up a championship showdown with world No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.
From Rock Bottom to Tennis Mountaintop
Anisimova’s path to this moment began with deep self-reflection after her Wimbledon nightmare. The eighth seed revealed she watched highlights of that painful final the night before facing Swiatek again in the US Open quarterfinals. “As painful as it was, I watched the highlights just to identify what I could avoid or where I went wrong,” she explained.
That preparation paid off beautifully. Anisimova stunned the tennis world by defeating second seed Swiatek 6-4, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, avenging her Wimbledon loss in spectacular fashion.
Osaka Battle Shows Champion Mentality
Against Osaka, Anisimova faced her biggest test yet. The match showcased two of women’s tennis most powerful first-strike players in an epic battle that had everything – momentum swings, medical timeouts, and clutch shot-making under pressure.
After losing the first set in a tiebreak, Anisimova found herself trailing 6-5 in the second set with Osaka serving for the match. But the American dug deep, forcing another tiebreak and leveling the contest.
“I wasn’t sure I would make it through, but I just tried to dig deep,” Anisimova said after the victory. “It was a huge fight out there today.”
“Naomi is playing amazing tennis. She’s back where she belongs, and I told her I’m so proud of her — after having a baby and playing at this level, it’s insane. She was really giving me a run for the final.”
Breaking New Ground
This victory marks several historic achievements for Anisimova. She becomes the first player ever to defeat Osaka at the quarterfinal, semifinal, or final stage of a Grand Slam. Osaka had been a perfect 14-0 in major quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals before this match.
The win also propels Anisimova to back-to-back Grand Slam finals, having reached the Wimbledon final in July. Her powerful baseline game was on full display, as she out-hit Osaka 50 winners to 32.
Mental Health Journey Pays Off
Perhaps most importantly, this run represents Anisimova’s growth as both a player and person. After taking time away from tennis to focus on her mental health, the American has shown remarkable resilience.
“I feel like I was able to recover from the Wimbledon loss very quickly. A few years ago, I might not have coped as well,” she reflected. “I would have likely blamed myself more or held onto the guilt longer.”
Championship Dreams Within Reach
Saturday’s final against Sabalenka represents the culmination of Anisimova’s incredible journey. The defending champion defeated Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in Thursday’s other semifinal.
“It means the world. I’m still trying to process it right now,” Anisimova said about reaching the final. “It’s absolutely a dream come true. I’ve dreamed of being in the US Open final forever.”
The match will determine whether Anisimova can complete her remarkable redemption story by capturing her first Grand Slam title, with the winner earning $5 million in prize money.
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