Amanda Anisimova showed her true colours by saying she was “so proud” of Naomi Osaka after surging past the Japanese star to reach the US Open final. Thursday’s semi-final match proved to be a gruelling encounter as the pair engaged in a three-hour battle that ended just before 1am local time.
The 24-year-old from New Jersey fought hard from a set down to seal a gritty 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win over two-time US Open winner Osaka at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The tide began to change for Anisimova deep into the second set, as the world No. 9 found her range on the ground strokes and dominated the baseline exchanges. Her monumental victory sets up a tantalising US Open showpiece against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, marking the second final of her career and back-to-back Grand Slam finals. Following her triumph, the American fell to her knees in celebration.
When asked how she managed to come back in her post-match interview, she showed class by heaping praise on her opponent. Anisimova said: “I don’t know. Naomi is playing amazing tennis. She’s back where she belongs. I told her that I’m so proud of her after having a baby and playing at this level. It’s insane.
“She was really giving me a run for the final. I wasn’t sure I’d make it past the finish line. I tried to dig deep and it was a huge fight out there today.”
Osaka had been the favourite going into the match despite being the 23rd seed, largely due to the fact that she’d never lost a match from the quarter-finals onwards. Her run finally ended, but the level which the 27-year-old produced over the past two weeks suggested she is nearing a return to her best, two years after giving birth to her daughter, Shai.
“It means the world. I’m trying to process that right now – it’s a dream come true,” Anisimova added. “The hope is to be the champion but I’m in the final now and I’m excited.”
Standing in the way of her first Grand Slam is the defending champion Sabalenka, whom she beat in the semis to reach the Wimbledon final. Anisimova will be hoping for better than her first final seven weeks ago, where she suffered an excruciating 6-0, 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek.
The 57-minute match marked the first time in a century that a women’s singles finalist failed to win a game in SW19. She sought out therapy afterwards and, having already avenged that defeat, Anisimova has given herself another opportunity to compete for her first grand slam title.