Anisimova rallies past Osaka in late-night battle
Amanda Anisimova booked her spot in the U.S. Open final with a gutsy 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 victory over Naomi Osaka at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23-year-old American, who just weeks ago suffered a 6-0, 6-0 loss to Iga Świątek in the Wimbledon final, completed a remarkable turnaround on Thursday night.
Despite losing the opening-set tiebreak after failing to capitalize at 5-4, Anisimova fought back. She survived a rollercoaster second set filled with immediate breaks on both sides before Osaka faltered in the tiebreak, missing four consecutive points. Anisimova seized the momentum and carried it into the decider.
Third set breakthrough seals historic moment
At 2-1 in the final set, Anisimova earned two break points and needed just one swing, hammering a forehand return winner off Osaka’s second serve. It was the first time Osaka trailed all night, and Anisimova refused to let her back in.
Serving for the match at 5-3, Anisimova overcame nerves — including a double fault at match point — before firing winners off both wings to close out the contest after two hours and 28 minutes. She fell to her knees in disbelief, celebrating her maiden U.S. Open final.
Anisimova on her mindset shift
After the match, Anisimova admitted there were times she thought the night was lost. “Most of the night, I felt like it was going to slip away from me and not make it to the final,” she said. “I could have easily said she’s playing better than me. I’ve shifted with my attitude.”
She will now face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final, aiming to complete her redemption run in New York.
