Anisimova Reaches U.S. Open Final, Set to Face Defending Champion Sabalenka
The 2024 U.S. Open is set for a thrilling final showdown. American Amanda Anisimova has battled her way to her first-ever U.S. Open final, where she will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. This comes after a grueling semifinal victory and a compelling tournament run for both players.
anisimova’s Path to the Final
Anisimova secured her spot in the final with a hard-fought 2-hour, 56-minute win over Naomi Osaka. Despite Osaka’s powerful serve – racking up 15 aces – Anisimova persevered, showcasing resilience and determination.
The match wasn’t without its challenges.Anisimova overcame a first-set tiebreaker loss,digging deep to find her rythm. She acknowledged Osaka’s impressive return to form after taking time off for motherhood, expressing admiration for her opponent’s level of play.
“I don’t know,” Anisimova admitted. “naomi is playing amazing tennis.She’s back where she belongs. I told her I’m so proud of her after having a baby and playing at this level.”
Anisimova holds a 6-3 head-to-head advantage over Sabalenka, including a recent victory in the Wimbledon semifinals in july (6-4, 4-6, 6-4). This history will undoubtedly fuel her confidence heading into the final. She’s clear about her ambition: to lift the U.S.Open trophy.
“It means the world,” Anisimova stated. “I am trying to process that right now. It’s a dream come true.”
Sabalenka Overcomes pegula in Semifinal Clash
Aryna Sabalenka, the top-seeded Belarusian, advanced to her second consecutive U.S. Open final by defeating fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. The match was a testament to both players’ competitive spirit, with Sabalenka ultimately prevailing after a hard-fought battle.
Pegula started strong,breaking Sabalenka twice to take the first set. Though, Sabalenka responded effectively, capitalizing on Pegula’s first service game in the subsequent sets. The final set was particularly tense, featuring multiple break points and deuces.
Here’s a fast look at the key stats from their semifinal match:
aces: Sabalenka 8, Pegula 3
Break Points Saved: Sabalenka 5/7, pegula 4/7
Winners: Sabalenka 43, Pegula 21
Unforced Errors: Sabalenka 27, Pegula 15
* total points Won: Sabalenka 87, Pegula 87
Despite the statistical closeness, Sabalenka demonstrated her championship mettle. She acknowledged Pegula’s strong performance and expressed her determination to go all the way.
“She played amazing tennis as always, and I had to work really hard to get this win,” Sabalenka said.”I’m just super happy to be in the finals again and hope I can go all the way again.”
Osaka’s Remarkable Return
Naomi Osaka’s run to the semifinals marked a meaningful milestone in her comeback. Returning to the tour after taking 2023 off for maternity leave, Osaka reached her first major semifinal since 2021. Notably, in each of her previous four Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances, she went on to win the championship. This demonstrates her ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage.
What to Expect in the Final
The U.S. Open final promises to be a captivating contest. Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, will be looking to defend her title. Anisimova, fueled by her recent win over Sabalenka at Wimbledon and a dream to become a Grand Slam champion, will be a formidable opponent.Sabalenka is laser-focused on the task ahead. ”I will go out there on Saturday and fight for every point like the last point of my
