Amanda Anisimova defeated Naomi Osaka in a gripping three-set battle to book her place in the US Open final, setting up a clash with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday.
Anisimova triumphed 6-7 7-6 6-3 against Osaka, converting her third match point after almost three hours amid a barrage of winners, to deny the former US Open champion a place in her first grand slam final in almost five years.
In a topsy-turvy, nervy semi-final where the momentum of the match swung from end to end, the American seized control of the second-set tiebreak and surged to the finish line.
She is through to her first US Open final and second grand slam final in a row following her 6-0 6-0 defeat to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, a loss she avenged in the quarter-finals.
Anisimova will play defending champion and World No 1 Sabalenka, who she upset in the Wimbledon semi-finals. Sabalenka earlier defeated Jessica Pegula in another three-set thriller. Follow the latest scores, updates, analysis and reaction from the US Open below:
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US Open LIVE: Latest scores and updates
- Amanda Anisimova defeats Amanda Anisimova in three-hour epic to reach US Open final
- Anisimova prevails 6-7 7-6 6-3, converting third match point, to reach first US Open final
- Aryna Sabalenka closes out thriller to defeat Jessica Pegula
- Sabalenka returns to US Open final with 4-6 6-3 6-4 win
Novak Djokovic’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ celebration dance at US Open explained
14:45
,
Jack Rathborn
Novak Djokovic pulled out a dance in celebration after his victory over Taylor Fritz at the US Open 2025 for his daughter’s birthday.
The Serbian, who has advanced to the semi-finals aged 38 and extended his dominant record over the American to 11-0, unveiled some dance moves to music from the hit movie "KPop Demon Hunters".
Djokovic detailed how his daughter, Tara, who turned 8 on Tuesday, was a huge fan of the Netflix smash hit film.
Novak Djokovic hopes body will not let him down in US Open semi-final
14:15
,
Jack Rathborn
Novak Djokovic’s most formidable opponent at the US Open on Friday may not be Carlos Alcaraz, but his own body.
Following a tense four-set victory over Taylor Fritz on Tuesday night, Djokovic stated: "The next couple of days is really key for me to get my body in shape and ready to battle five sets if it’s needed.
“I just would really love that. I know that my best tennis is going to be required, but I’d rise to the occasion. Normally I like to play the big matches on a big stage. It’s just that I’m not really sure how the body is going to feel.
But I’m going to do my very best with my team to be fit for that."
Carlos Alcaraz and the five shots that made a US Open masterpiece
13:45
,
Jack Rathborn
As if still stung by his second-round exit to Botic van de Zandschulp in New York last season, Carlos Alcaraz is through to the US Open semi-finals without dropping a set.
He’s 15 played, 15 won, but the five-time grand slam champion has been consistent while retaining the magic in his game, as he delivered 28 winners to 17 unforced errors across less than two hours of a sublime 6-4 6-2 6-4 win over Jiri Lehecka in the quarter-finals.
“I'll just say I think that today I kind of met the grand slam version of Carlos,” Lehecka said later. “He was everywhere. He always managed to do something special.”
Naomi Osaka on working with new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and momentum moving forward
13:15
,
Jack Rathborn
“I think everything is a process. Obviously this is my second tournament with Tomasz. I have to take that into account. I have to understand what my level is, what I was able to achieve last year, and I think if I put everything into perspective, I feel like I did really good this year.
“Also, I just like to grow year from year. Even before playing this tournament, I already exceeded my expectations. Yeah, I was kind of just thinking about it, but my worst year is someone's best year, in retrospect. So I just have to find ways to trick my mind into being positive.
“Yeah, I would say it's not major. I definitely did feel like I think I'm just getting older, like a little bit of aches and pains. But it would be weird to get to this stage of the tournament and not feel something. Yeah, I just consider that, like, the price of playing really high-level tennis.”
Naomi Osaka sets sights on Australian Open
12:45
,
Jack Rathborn
“ I mean, like, even at my quote, unquote worst, I have never played a tournament and thought that I would lose in the first round. If I enter a tournament, I want to win.
“So I would say, like, getting far in the US Open was definitely a confidence booster. Doing well in Montreal was a confidence booster, but the season is not done yet. I honestly got a little farther than I thought I would. I just wanted to be seeded in slams, but now I don't know what ranking I'm at, but I think I'm kind of getting up there.
“Yeah, obviously I want to do well in Australia. I always happen to play well there. So doing well in the Asian swing, and then closing off the rest of the year is my goal now.”
Amanda Anisimova on coming back from Wimbledon heartache
12:15
,
Jack Rathborn
“I think it just shows that I have worked really hard, especially on my mental game and not giving up. Like today, I could have easily said, oh, she's playing better than me, and I can't really do anything. I really tried to find a way any way I could to stay in the match, even though it was extremely tough, and she was playing really great tennis.
“Yeah, I think I have really worked on myself to really be able to handle those moments and to believe in myself, even when it feels like what is there to believe in, in a way, like, when you're not playing that well. Yeah, I think I have really done a better job of that, and especially since the Wimbledon final. I think I have really shifted with my attitude, as well.”
How Novak Djokovic tormented and embarrassed Taylor Fritz to extend US Open nightmare
11:50
,
Jack Rathborn
Novak Djokovic advanced to his 14th US Open semi-final, and 53rd grand slam semi-final, with a win over Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals.
It extended Djokovic’s record against Fritz to 11-0 and his record against American men at the US Open to 16-0.
But Djokovic admitted he was “lucky” to escape with a four-set win as Fritz missed his chances...
Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz head to head
11:20
,
Jack Rathborn
This will be the ninth match between Djokovic and Alcaraz and their five over best of five sets. Djokovic currently leads the head to head with five wins to three, and won their last meeting at the Australian Open quarter-finals.
Djokovic has also won all four times they have met on a hard-court. This will be their first encounter at the US Open. Alcaraz’s previous two wins over Djokovic have come in the Wimbledon final, in 2023 and 2024.
Naomi Osaka on losing control against Amanda Anisimova
10:50
,
Jack Rathborn
“I mean, it's kind of hard to say. I think, you know, you can kind of only live and learn, and for me, obviously I didn't remember it until you said it, so now I'm thinking about it.
“Yeah, I mean, I went to that match knowing she's one of the best returners in the world. Obviously I feel like I'm one of the best servers. It's a little unfortunate, but also, I can't really say I have played, like, many matches in the semis of a slam since I've been back. I would say she has a little bit under her belt more than me.
“Yeah, hopefully I can be in this position one more time and see if I learn something.”
Amanda Anisimova on combatting Aryna Sabalenka's behaviour on court
10:20
,
Jack Rathborn
“I don't really care what my opponent is doing. I wouldn't say she's also overly emotional. I feel like she's pretty normal.
But, yeah, she's a huge fighter. When I play her, I'm really focused on myself, not really looking at what she's doing, like, the whole time. But, yeah, it's insignificant to me what she does.”
US Open order of play - Friday 5 September
09:50
,
Jack Rathborn
Arthur Ashe Stadium
(all times BST)
From 5pm
Women’s doubles final: [1} K. Siniakova / T. Townsend vs G. Dabrowski / E. Routliffe [3]
from 8pm
[7] Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz [2}
Not before midnight
[1} Jannik Sinner vs Felix Auger-Aliassime [25]
Amanda Anisimova on hiding her pattern of play against Naomi Osaka
09:20
,
Jack Rathborn
“I feel like today I was playing the way I would normally play. Of course, we're going to play very fast tennis, because she also hits the ball really hard, so it's just really back and forth.
“But it was nothing really out of the ordinary I did today. I feel like all of our matches have been really tough battles, and every single time we have played, the level has been really high.”
Naomi Osaka on combatting home support for Amanda Anisimova
08:50
,
Jack Rathborn
“I wouldn't say it's a bigger challenge than I expected, because I kind of knew that she's that type of player. It was just kind of funny at times, because there is no pattern to what she's doing. Like, it's kind of like she just hits at the empty court or whatever, and it usually goes in (smiling).
“So, yeah, I mean, obviously she went to the finals of Wimbledon, and now she's in the finals here, so it just shows that she's a really good player.”
Amanda Anisimova reacts to rollercoaster match against Naomi Osaka
08:19
,
Jack Rathborn
“It was a really tough match,” the American said. “Most of the time I thought that it's going to slip away from me, and I'm not going to make it into the final. At some points I was trying to accept that, as tough as that was.
“Yeah, and in the later moments of the second set I was trying to remind myself what was on the line and the opportunity I have.
“Yeah, I stepped onto the court, and I felt like I wasn't playing my tennis because I was nervous, and I was letting the stress get to me a little bit, but then I tried to dig deep and find my game. I feel like throughout the match I was able to find it more and more, and yeah, the most important thing was that I kept fighting.
“Then, yeah, obviously after the match, I mean, I'm happy and I'm relieved. Yeah, I want to go recover to get ready for the final (smiling).”
Amanda Anisimova sends message to Aryna Sabalenka with display of her new strength
07:56
,
Jamie Braidwood
Amanda Anisimova fell to her knees and tapped on the blue hard court. With her dream of reaching a first final at the US Open accomplished, whatever magic that is unfolding in New York had worked its spell again.
Eight weeks after her 6-0 6-0 Wimbledon final defeat to Iga Swiatek, the 24-year-old from New Jersey has given herself another chance to win a grand slam title at the first opportunity. After avenging her defeat to Swiatek in the quarter-finals, Anisimova went one step further by overturning Naomi Osaka’s lead in a back-and-forth semi-final across almost three hours, setting up a final against the World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Naomi Osaka proud of herself after US Open run
07:37
,
Jamie Braidwood
“Honestly I don't feel sad,” she said. “It's really weird. I just feel like I did the best that I could. Honestly, it's kind of inspiring for me, because it makes me just want to train and try to get better, and hopefully, yeah, just give it my very best shot again and see what happens. But I think I can't be mad or upset at myself.”
Amanda Anisimova finishes US Open semi-final with 50 winners
07:22
,
Jamie Braidwood
Naomi Osaka finished the match with 32 winners to 27 unforced errors, which is a very good final ratio.
But Amanda Anisimova finished the match with 50 winners to 45 unforced errors.
Anisimova was hitting far more winners to unforced errors in the second and third sets, as well, and played better the longer the match went on.
Amanda Anisimova v Aryna Sabalenka set for Saturday
07:07
,
Jamie Braidwood
A little over eight weeks after they met in the Wimbledon semi-finals, Amanda Anisimova and Aryna Sabalenka will meet again in the US Open final.
Anisimova won that match to deny Sabalenka her first Wimbledon final, and leads the World No 1 in their head-to-head 6-3.
Sabalenka is aiming to become the first player to defend a US Open singles title since Serena Williams in 2014.
Amanda Anisimova's emotional reaction on match point
06:52
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova’s reaction to reaching the US Open final, dropping to her knees and tapping the court.
She’s been through a lot, in the last few months, and in the previous years. This is a huge moment for her.
'LET'S GO!' She says! pic.twitter.com/LEh1KA4qmU
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2025
Amanda Anisimova into 'dream' US Open final
06:37
,
Jamie Braidwood
Amanda Anisimova is just 24 years old but has just reached back-to-back Wimbledon and US Open finals.
She’s the youngest player to do that since Serena Williams in 2002.
“It’s a dream come true,” Anisimova said. “I’ve been dreaming of a US Open final for, like, forever.
“The hope is to be the champion.”
Anisimova pushed all the way by Osaka in US Open epic
06:22
,
Jamie Braidwood
Amanda Anisimova is asked how she came back to defeat Naomi Osaka.
“I don’t know,” she replies. “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.”
Amanda Anisimova's comeback from Wimbledon final defeat
06:07
,
Jamie Braidwood
After losing a grand slam final 6-0 6-0, Amanda Anisimova will have the opportunity to win her first grand slam title at the very next try.
It won’t be easy against Aryna Sabalenka, but what an effort to be in that position.
Amanda Anisimova through to US Open final after thriller
05:58
,
Jamie Braidwood
An incredible battle. Two hours and 56 minutes, and the relief for Anisimova to get over the line is there for all to see. What an effort form both players.
Anisimova will return on Saturday for her first US Open final. The American will play defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who she beat in the Wimbledon semi-finals eight weeks ago.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 3-6 Amanda Anisimova
05:55
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova blasts through Osaka to bring the third match point!
This time Osaka can’t fend off the brilliant backhand into the corner!
Anisimova pulls it off! She is through to her first US Open final, with an epic win just short of three hours!
She falls onto her knees and kisses the court!
Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 3-5 Amanda Anisimova*
05:53
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova double faults! Would you believe it! Now it’s break point to Osaka!
The defence from Osaka is incredible but Anisimova finds a way through.
But Osaka goes again and literally takes Anisimova off her feet with the forehand return! Anisimova finishes the point on her back!
A second break point: Anisimova finally gets the serve in play, and puts away the backhand winner!
Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 3-5 Amanda Anisimova*
05:50
,
Jamie Braidwood
The ball sets up nicely for Anisimova and the backhand past Osaka brings up two match points!
WOW! Osaka saves the first with a forehand winner out wide!
Osaka lands the deep backhand return and Anisimova nets! Two match points saved!
Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 3-5 Amanda Anisimova*
05:47
,
Jamie Braidwood
Osaka goes long on the first return, then Anisimova steps inside the baseline and connects with another sweet backhand winner down the line.
She’s two points away.
Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 3-5 Amanda Anisimova*
05:45
,
Jamie Braidwood
Osaka finds a couple of big first serves to stay in the match.
Over to Anisimova to serve for a place in her first US Open final.
*Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 2-5 Amanda Anisimova
05:41
,
Jamie Braidwood
Awesome hold form Anisimova, who is getting better and better the longer the match goes on.
She moves Osaka from side to side and lasers a forehand that Osaka can’t return on the backhand.
Anisimova is serving well at the moment, which is a good sign if she needs to serve out the match.
First, Osaka needs to get through this game.
Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 2-4 Amanda Anisimova*
05:38
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova takes her winner count for the match up to 45 with a lovely inside-out forehand.
Osaka, though, finds some first serves but can’t hide her frustration as she thumps the ball away.
*Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 1-4 Amanda Anisimova
05:33
,
Jamie Braidwood
Wow. Anisimova is surging right now. She finds an ace down the middle and then picks apart a short ball from Osaka to power the winner.
Can Osaka respond?
BREAK! Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 1-3 Amanda Anisimova*
05:31
,
Jamie Braidwood
Osaka with a poor forehand miss on the opening point. Anisimova does not hesitate to attack the second serve and fires a winner.
There’s a shout from the crowd as Anisimova defends on the baseline and return deep to Osaka’s forehand. She finds the net and Osaka is not pleased with the shout.
Anisimova, though, is just too steady at the moment. She comes out on top in the rally as Osaka nets on the forehand! The first break of the third.
*Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 1-2 Amanda Anisimova
05:27
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova replies straight back with a dominant hold of her own. We saw very few of them in the first or second sets.
If both players hit their top level in the third this is going down as a classic.
Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 1-1 Amanda Anisimova*
05:25
,
Jamie Braidwood
Osaka’s serve stands up to the examination of Anisimova’s aggressive return.
There is rain thundering onto the closed roof above Arthur Ashe.
*Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 0-1 Amanda Anisimova
05:21
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova faces 0-30 in the opening game but finds an excellent wide serve when she needed it most.
Osaka barely moved for the wide serve on 40-30, as Anisimova took the opening game.
SECOND SET! Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 (3-7) Amanda Anisimova
05:13
,
Jamie Braidwood
Well, this has been extraordinary. And at two hours and 15 minutes, we’re not done yet.
It’s just gone past midnight in New York and we are heading the distance.
SECOND SET! Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-7 (3-7) Amanda Anisimova
05:10
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova ruthlessly crushes the Osaka second serve for a clean backhand winner. Four set points!
OSAKA NETS AND WE”RE GOING TO A THIRD!
A backhand winner from Anisimova propels her to take the second-set tiebreak!
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2025
We head to a decider. pic.twitter.com/BqWRivGYnE
TIEBREAK! Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-6 (1-5) Amanda Anisimova
05:08
,
Jamie Braidwood
WOW! One of the points of the match as both players trade their brilliant power.
Anisimova finishes it with the backhand winner down the line!
5-1.
TIEBREAK! Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-6 (1-4) Amanda Anisimova
05:06
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova off to a flyer. Osaka stares at the back of the court as she puts a second-serve return long.
Anisimova finds incredible depth to the Osaka forehand and forces another error.
Osaka gets on the board with a big serve out wide. 4-1.
TIEBREAK! Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-6 Amanda Anisimova
05:04
,
Jamie Braidwood
Off to a tiebreak we go!
Anisimova stays alive, adding another backhand winner to the collection and getting her first serve in play. That could be the biggest factor as we head into the second-set tiebreak.
Naomi Osaka 7-6 6-5 Amanda Anisimova*
04:58
,
Jamie Braidwood
Of course.
It’s brilliant from Anisimova, crushing her 13th forehand winner of the match, then pinning Osaka to the back of the court and drawing the mistake. 15-40.
Osaka is infuriated, shrugging to her box, but she finds big serving to save both break points!
Osaka finds the ace and then flashes a forehand down the line to earn a vital hold!
BREAK! *Naomi Osaka 7-6 5-5 Amanda Anisimova
04:54
,
Jamie Braidwood
Would you believe it.
Osaka finds the edge of the line with a backhand winner. Then Anisimova puts her forehand into the net and it’s 0-40 to Osaka with the chance to stay in the set.
Anisimova double-faults! Another crazy swing.
BREAK! Naomi Osaka 7-6 4-5 Amanda Anisimova*
04:50
,
Jamie Braidwood
Incredible. Osaka is 40-0 up and heading to a swift hold.
But Anisimova does not give up on it. She gets her returns in play, cracking her strike and Osaka and drawing a series of errors.
She drags herself to break point, infuriating Osaka, and then pings a miraculous defensive slice onto Osaka’s feet.
Osaka goes long, Anisimova wheels away. Osaka thumps a ball away and tosses her racket towards her chair!
Anisimova will serve for the set!
*Naomi Osaka 7-6 4-4 Amanda Anisimova
04:45
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova lands an ace. As we get to the business end of the set, who is going to raise their level?
If Anisimova gets it, we could be heading towards a three-hour epic, and a very late night.
Naomi Osaka 7-6 4-3 Amanda Anisimova*
04:40
,
Jamie Braidwood
Osaka holds.
Stepping in, Osaka puts the forehand winer away. She’s got some form and confidence back when striking for the lines. A powerful backhand is pushed long by Anisimova.
BREAK! *Naomi Osaka 7-6 3-3 Amanda Anisimova
04:37
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova hangs her head after making double-fault to bring up 0-30.
The American then appears tense as she stands over a second serve, but Osaka nets.
When Osaka nets again, she thumps her racket off the court. Neither player is at their best right now.
Anisimova catches the net-cord, as her forehand goes out. Break point: Anisimova misses again and Osaka yells in delight!
Anisimova taps her head with her racket in frustration. Osaka is back into it.
BREAK! Naomi Osaka 7-6 2-3 Amanda Anisimova*
04:31
,
Jamie Braidwood
The frustration from Osaka was building and she smacks a ball down into the ground after going long on break point!
She couldn’t get the serve in play, and her consistency in the rallies suddenly disappeared there.
Anisimova breaks to lead.
*Naomi Osaka 7-6 2-2 Amanda Anisimova
04:29
,
Jamie Braidwood
Osaka is given a time warning serving at 15-30. She responds with a backhand winner down the line.
But Anisimova’s deep return forces Osaka to then go long on the backhand, bringing break point.
Osaka faces pressure on the second serve. Anisimova goes after the forehand, Osaka defends.
Then Anisimova’s strike bounces out off the net-cord!
*Naomi Osaka 7-6 2-2 Amanda Anisimova
04:24
,
Jamie Braidwood
Another game where the pattern bounces between Anisimova winner or Anisimova error.
Much of it, though, is down to how many balls Osaka is getting back in play. Her movement is looking so sharp.
Anisimova finds a big, accurate serve down the T and Osaka goes long on the stretch.
Naomi Osaka 7-6 2-1 Amanda Anisimova*
04:16
,
Jamie Braidwood
With both players struggling to hold, Osaka understandably looked absolutely pumped as she lands beautiful forehand and then backhand winners in succession to get the game.
BREAK! *Naomi Osaka 7-6 1-1 Amanda Anisimova
04:11
,
Jamie Braidwood
The pattern of hot and cold continues. Osaka does not need to do too much to get the break straight back, just moving to the ball and staying in the rally. Anisimova makes successive forehand errors and needs to stop herself from throwing her racket.
BREAK! Naomi Osaka 7-6 0-1 Amanda Anisimova*
04:07
,
Jamie Braidwood
What a start to the second set from Anisimova, with two thumping backhand winners. She’s not going to change how she wants to play.
Anisimova slipped a little on the second backhand return, finding herself off-balance. And she walks a little slowly back to her chair.
Naomi Osaka 7-6 (7-4) Amanda Anisimova
04:04
,
Jamie Braidwood
A set full of ups and downs from Anisimova. She’s had 17 winners to 23 unforced errors. For Osaka, it’s 9 winners to 10 unforced errors.
Anisimova heads off court.
FIRST SET! Naomi Osaka 7-6 (7-4) Amanda Anisimova
04:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
ACE from Osaka! Then Anisimova goes long on the forehand to bring five set points.
Anisimova catches the back of the line with her forehand and then finds an ace to get it back to 6-3.
There’s a delay as Osaka’s ball is called out, but the computer went down to confirm it. 6-4.
Anisimova nets and Osaka yells “come on” as she gets the first set!
Anisimova stays where she is on the baseline and hangs her head.
That was a tiebreak littered with errors.
TIEBREAK! Naomi Osaka 6-6 (5-1) Amanda Anisimova
03:54
,
Jamie Braidwood
A forehand return into the net from Anisimova seems to dent her momentum, and a double-fault from the American is followed by another big forehand error into the net!
Osaka leads 4-1 with two serves to come.
And she makes an ace with the first one!
TIEBREAK! Naomi Osaka 6-6 Amanda Anisimova
03:51
,
Jamie Braidwood
Just as Anisimova was catching fire, hitting winners on both sides to get to 15-30, she puts a backhand second-serve return into the net.
Osaka takes full advantage, Closing the door and getting to the tiebreak.
*Naomi Osaka 5-6 Amanda Anisimova
03:47
,
Jamie Braidwood
Anisimova finds her serve! Two first serves in a row from 30-30 is just what was required. Osaka nets on the first and then Anisimova blasts another forehand winner down the line!
A brilliant recovery from Anisimova from 5-3 down.
BREAK! Naomi Osaka 5-5 Amanda Anisimova*
03:44
,
Jamie Braidwood