Aryna Sabalenka’s message to Marketa Vondrousova after withdrawal
Aryna Sabalenka progressed to the semi-finals for the fifth year in a row after her opponent in the quarter-finals Marketa Vondrousova withdrew due to injury.
Vondrousova had been on an incredible run, defeating Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina, but was forced to pull out of the match with a knee injury.
Sabalenka posted on Instagram: “So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through. She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her.”
Sabalenka added: “Take care of yourself and I hope you can recover quickly”.
Jamie Braidwood4 September 2025 21:30
Aryna Sabalenka’s quest for US Open history
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to become the first player to defend the US Open title since Serena Williams in 2014.
Sabalenka has continued her extremely impressive consistency at the US Open, and has now reached the semi-finals or better five years in a row.
She successfully defended her Australian Open title from 2023 in 2024.
Aryna Sabalenka won the US Open women’s singles title in 2024 (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
Jamie Braidwood4 September 2025 21:15
Naomi Osaka v Amanda Anisimova
Naomi Osaka bids to reach her first grand slam final in almost five years against home US Open favourite Amanda Anisimova.
Osaka, the 2019 and 2020 champion in New York, won the last of her four grand slam titles at the 2021 Australian Open before taking a break from the sport for her mental health and giving birth to her daughter Shai in 2023.
The former World No 1 defeated Coco Gauff in the last-16 and then Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals and is enjoying her best run of form since returning to the sport 18 months ago.
She will face Anisimova, who claimed redemption for her 6-0 6-0 Wimbledon final defeat by beating Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals 6-4 6-3. The 24-year-old American is through to her first US Open semi-final.
Jamie Braidwood4 September 2025 21:02
Aryna Sabalenka v Jessica Pegula
Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula meet again at the US Open in a rematch of last year’s final.
Sabalenka defeated Pegula in straight-sets 7-5 7-5 to win her first US Open title and third grand slam overall, but the World No 1 has not won a major title since and has lost to American opponents in her last three.
Pegula is yet to drop a set at this year’s US Open and is through to a semi-final of a grand slam for just the second time. Sabalenka advanced to the semi-finals after Marketa Vondrousova withdrew injured before their quarter-final.
After defeats to Madison Keys at the Australian Open, Coco Gauff at the French Open and Amanda Anisimova at Wimbledon, can Pegula add to Sabalenka’s difficult year or will the defending champion break the streak?
They will be on first from 7pm local time.
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood4 September 2025 21:01
Welcome along
We’ve got two fascinating women’s semi-finals at the US Open to look forward to, with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka taking on Jessica Pegula in a rematch of last year’s final and then Naomi Osaka bidding to return to the US Open final against Amanda Anisimova, who will likely be the crowd favourite after her win over Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals.
We’ve got two Americans against two former US Open champions.
Jamie Braidwood4 September 2025 21:00
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