 |
| US tennis star Amanda Anisimova. Photo: AP. |
The American eighth seed pulled off a gutsy comeback against four-time major champion Naomi Osaka, outlasting the Japanese star, 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3, in a late-night thriller at Arthur Ashe Stadium (Friday, Manila time). With the win, the 24-year-old booked her first-ever US Open final berth, where she’ll square off against World No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
Amanda Anisimova’s reaction after beating Naomi Osaka to reach US Open final
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 5, 2025
She falls to her knees, soaking it all in.
If you’ve followed her journey, you know a constant theme in her life is bravery.
She showed it once again tonight.
Chills. 🥹
pic.twitter.com/ol0m2RNWAR
For Anisimova, the victory was especially sweet, coming just two months after her heartbreaking Wimbledon final loss. “This means the world,” she said, fighting back tears. “It’s been my dream forever to play in a US Open final. Hopefully, this time, I can finish the job.”
Osaka, playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal since 2021, reminded fans why she’s still one of the game’s biggest threats. She struck early, edging a tense first set in a tiebreak after both players exchanged breaks and momentum swings. But Anisimova refused to back down.
 |
| Former world no. 1 Naomi Osaka. Photo: AP. |
The American dug deep in the second-set tiebreak, leveling the match with fearless shot-making and pure grit. In the deciding set, she raced to a 4-1 lead with a blistering forehand and never looked back, sealing the victory with nerves of steel.
It’s a huge moment of redemption for Anisimova, who admitted that after her 6-0, 6-0 Wimbledon defeat to Iga Swiatek, she worked hard to strengthen her mental game. “I could’ve easily given up tonight, but I just kept finding ways to stay alive,” she said. “I’ve learned to trust myself, especially in the toughest moments.”
 |
| Amanda Anisimova. Photo. Getty Images. |
Osaka, meanwhile, took the loss in stride and even drew inspiration from it. “I’m not sad at all,” she said with a smile. “I gave everything I had, and honestly, it makes me want to train harder and come back stronger.”
Waiting in the final is Sabalenka, who earlier survived hometown favorite Jessica Pegula in another three-set battle, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The Belarusian is chasing her first Slam title of 2025 after falling short in both Melbourne and Paris.
 |
| Anisimova (left) and Osaka embrace over the net at the end of their semifinal match. Photo: Reuters. |
Now, the US Open women’s championship comes down to two fierce rivals — Sabalenka and Anisimova — in what promises to be an explosive showdown for the crown.