NEW YORK — Amanda Anisimova delivered a statement performance under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, rallying past Naomi Osaka on Thursday night to reach the US Open final.
The No. 8 seed overcame a slow start and a one-set deficit to defeat the two-time champion 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3, securing her second straight Grand Slam final appearance.
Her run also extends a remarkable streak for American women’s tennis: there has now been at least one American woman in the final of every major this season. Madison Keys won the Australian Open over Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff defeated Sabalenka at Roland Garros, Iga Swiatek beat Anisimova at Wimbledon—and now Anisimova will battle Sabalenka for the US Open crown.
It’s the first time that’s happened since 2002, when Jennifer Capriati and Serena and Venus Williams combined to reach every Slam final.
Anisimova, 23, looked on the brink of defeat at several points against Osaka, but steadied herself in the second set tiebreak and carried that momentum through the decider. She closed out the nearly three-hour contest after two hours and 56 minutes on court.
She will now face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who rallied past No. 4 Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the other semifinal. For Anisimova, it’s also a shot at redemption after suffering a brutal 6-0, 6-0 loss to Swiatek at Wimbledon earlier this summer.
More to follow…
