The women’s semifinal at the 2025 US Open concludes with Naomi Osaka facing Amanda Anisimova. Osaka won the US Open in both 2018 and 2020 but since winning the Australian Open in 2021, she hadn’t advanced past the third round at any Grand Slam.
Anisimova is arguably playing the best tennis of her career, and vanquished Iga Świątek to reach the semifinal. She hasn’t faced Osaka much over their careers, but Anisimova has won both times the two have met. A victory Thursday would push Anisimova one step closer to her first Grand Slam title.
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Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
In Thursday’s opening semifinal match, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka defeated No. 4 Jessica Pegula for the second consecutive year.
After losing in straight sets last year, Pegula rallied from a 2-4 deficit to win the first set, 6-4. Against Sabalenka’s powerful serves and forehands, Pegula maintained her calm, sticking with an approach to mix up her shots to get Sabalenka moving around the court.
However, Sabalenka came back strong in the second set, channeling her anger at losing the first set and letting the crowd support build for Pegula. Changing up with a softer touch at the net threw Pegula off as she took a 3-0 lead. Sabalenka showed frustration at not being able to put the second set away quickly, but maintained composure to win, 6-3.
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That continued in the third set as Sabalenka controlled with her serve and Pegula couldn’t create the long rallies she needed. She managed to hold serve to get back into the match, but Sabalenka never relinquished control.
Before match point, Sabalenka defiantly clapped her racket to the crowd. She then fired a forehand past Pegula and let a victorious primal scream into the air.
Date: Thursday, September 4
Amanda Anisimova-Naomi Osaka start time (approximate): 9:55 p.m. ET
Location: Arthur Ashe Stadium | New York
TV channel: ESPN
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more from the 2025 US Open women’s singles semifinals:
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