Sabalenka joined by Anisimova to set up Open final

Aryna Sabalenka returned to the final of the US Open as the defending champion defeated Jessica Pegula in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback win in a repeat of the 2024 title match.

The world No. 1 who will retain that position nxt week will bid for the fourth major trophy of her career in the Saturday final against Amanda Anisimova, who denied Naomi Osaka 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3 in a three-hour epic.

The results of the semi-final fightbacks means that Sabalenka has the chance to become the first to win consecutive women’s singles titles since Serena Williams did it 2012 -2014.

Sabalenka denied Pegula to run her record in their series to an overwhelming 8-2 

“I really played great tennis, I think I handled that pressure really well. I’m super
proud of this win and happy to be in another final,” the winner said.

Sabalenka had to fight for more than two hours, with Pegula saving two match points in the final game before taking the loss.

“The whole match I just keep telling myself, into the next one, just one step at a time, don’t worry about the past. Just try better in the next point.

“I badly wanted to give myself another opportunity, another final, and I want to prove to myself that I learned those tough lessons and I can do better in the finals.”
Sabalenka, who ended with 43 winners, will be playing her third Grand Slam final of the season after coming up short in Melbourne and Paris.

“It was a really tough match. She played incredible tennis, as always,” Sabalenka said. “Jess is such a great player, great fighter. I’m super happy to be in the final again.”

Sabalenka got a walkover in the quarter-finals as injured Marketa Vondrousova was unable to play, with the top seed ending up with four days of rest and preparation

Anisimova will get a second chance in two months at a title at a major after her finals loss at Wimbledon to Iga Swiatek; along the way she put out Sabalenka in a three-set semi-final to run her record to 6-3 against the New York top seed.

Anisimova produced 46 winners against Osaka, Open champion in 2018 and 2020.

Osaka won the opening set in a tiebreaker but then exchanged breaks three times with Osaka unable to serve out a straight-sets win leading a set and 6-5 in the second set.

Anisimova levelled at a set apiece by taking the second in a decider and ran away with the third set through a key break in the fourth game. She saved two break points in the final game, advancing on her third match point.

“Oh my god, I don’t know,’’ Anisimova said in victory. “Naomi is playing amazing tennis and she is back where she belongs. 

“I told her I’m so proud of her after having a baby and playing at this level. It’s insane.’’

The winner added: ““She was really giving me a run for the final. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it to the finish line.

“I tried to dig deep; it was a huge fight out there today. We were both playing some amazing tennis.”