Sabalenka and Anisimova will face off at 3 a.m. Hanoi time on Sunday, 7/9.
In two months, world number eight Anisimova has reached two consecutive Grand Slam finals. She lost to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final without winning a single game. But in New York this week, Anisimova defeated Swiatek in the quarterfinals, before overcoming former champion Naomi Osaka 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 in the semifinals.
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Sabalenka (left) has lost six of her nine previous encounters with Anisimova. Photo: Reuters |
Sabalenka (left) has lost six of her nine previous encounters with Anisimova. Photo: Reuters
Against a resurgent Osaka, Anisimova endured a three-hour match, concluding just before midnight New York time on 4/9. The first two sets each lasted over an hour, with close contests decided by tie-breaks. Osaka won the first 7-4, and Anisimova took the second 7-3.
The final set saw both players displaying caution, with only one break point arising in the first eight games. Anisimova capitalized on this first opportunity to take a three-game lead. In the ninth game, Osaka had a chance to break back, twice rallying from 40-all. However, Anisimova saved both points with strong serves before converting her third match point to win 6-3.
Anisimova is the first player to defeat Osaka in a major semifinal, as the Japanese star had won all four of her previous matches at this stage. The American has a chance to win her first Grand Slam title if she defeats Aryna Sabalenka in the final. She previously defeated the world number one in this year's Wimbledon semifinals, as well as in their most recent hard-court meeting in Toronto last year.
Like Anisimova, Sabalenka experienced a dramatic three-set semifinal against Jessica Pegula. The Belarusian player lost the first set but showed resilience in the following two by capitalizing on break points and holding serve with powerful deliveries. This is Sabalenka's third Grand Slam final of the year, but she has yet to win a title. In her career, the 27-year-old has won three of the six major finals she has contested.
"I'm really excited for another final," Sabalenka told the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd on 4/9. "If I lift the trophy again, I'll be the happiest person."
This marks Sabalenka's third consecutive appearance in the US Open final. Last year, she defeated Pegula in the final, while in 2023, she lost to Coco Gauff.
Vy Anh
