American star books back-to-back slam finals to face world No 1 Sabalenka in New York

Amanda Anisimova has reached the US Open final after overcoming Naomi Osaka in a late-night thriller, setting up a blockbuster clash with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

The 24-year-old American defeated Osaka 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in a match that finished just before 1am on Arthur Ashe Stadium, extending her remarkable summer turnaround. Only weeks ago, she was left in tears after a humiliating 6-0, 6-0 defeat in the Wimbledon final. Now she is one win away from the ultimate redemption.

Anisimova, the tournament’s eighth seed, had already avenged that Wimbledon loss by beating world No 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals. Against Osaka, she showed the same resilience, fighting back after dropping a tense opening set.

“Naomi is playing amazing tennis,” Anisimova said afterwards. “She’s back where she belongs. I told her I’m so proud of her, coming back after having a baby and playing like this. It was insane out there—I wasn’t sure I’d make it past the finish line, but I dug deep.”

Osaka, a two-time US Open champion, looked revitalised in her first Grand Slam semi-final since 2021. She traded breaks with Anisimova in a gripping opener, snatching the set with a roar as the crowd erupted. But she couldn’t hold the momentum.

The second set turned into a slugfest, both players hammering winners and exchanging breaks in front of a thinning but passionate crowd. At 6-6, Anisimova steadied herself in the tie-break, playing with poise to drag the contest into a decider.

From there, the American surged. A forehand winner put her 4-1 up, and she never relinquished control. After three hours of punishing rallies, she collapsed to her knees in relief, sealing her place in a second consecutive major final.

Sabalenka had already booked her spot with a battling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Jessica Pegula in the opening semi-final. The world No 1 was pushed hard by the American favourite, who delighted home fans by taking the first set. But Sabalenka responded with trademark power, blasting 43 winners and eight aces to reach her third straight US Open final.

“It was a really tough match,” Sabalenka admitted. “Jess played incredible tennis as always. I had to fight so hard, but I’m just super happy to be back in the final again. I’ll go out there and fight for every point like it’s the last of my life.”

Sabalenka is chasing history: if she wins on Saturday, she will become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend the US Open title successfully. Her consistency this season has been extraordinary—she is the sixth world No 1 since 1975 to make three or more Grand Slam finals in a single year.

For Anisimova, the story is personal redemption. At 23 years and 358 days, she is the youngest player since Serena and Venus Williams in 2002 to reach both Wimbledon and US Open finals in the same season. From her Wimbledon heartbreak to her New York resurgence, her journey has captured fans’ imagination.

The head-to-head favours Sabalenka, who has won seven of their nine encounters, including the last three in straight sets. But Anisimova has momentum, confidence and the roar of the home crowd behind her.

On Saturday, the defending champion and the comeback star collide in what promises to be a defining US Open final