In the other semifinal, world No. 1 Amanda Anisimova will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. Their much anticipated battle in the US Open women’s final, this Sunday! The rematch comes eight weeks after that chaotic Wimbledon final. At that tournament, Anisimova experienced the most historic defeat in recent memory to Coco Gauff. Now 27, she’s still searching for her first Grand Slam win. Having played a gritty, emotional semifinal against Naomi Osaka, she wants to remind you of her mental fortitude.
Anisimova’s run to the finals has been a revelation, introducing tennis fans to her extremely powerful, exciting style of play. She just beat Sabalenka in an electrifying Wimbledon semifinal. Even after dropping a set for the first time in the tournament, she still pulled through with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win. This success only exposes her competitive nature, having come out on top in six of her nine encounters with Sabalenka.
The Road to the Final
Anisimova’s path has not been without challenges. Just as earlier this year she faced disappointment at the Australian Open. After that, losing to Madison Keys and then losing to Coco Gauff at Roland Garros. Even in the face of these defeats, her performance at Wimbledon illustrated the power of her resilience.
“That match at Wimby was really a seesaw match, which is almost always the case when I play her,” Anisimova reflected, emphasizing the competitive nature of her rivalry with Sabalenka. This history should at least give her some confidence as she takes the floor for the final.
So far in New York, Anisimova has kept bringing the fire that makes for some great tennis. She steamrolled Jessica Pegula in straights to earn her spot in the final. During this entire tournament, Anisimova has been a picture of poise, especially in her semifinal clash with Naomi Osaka. Her coolness under fire has been the standout feature of her last few outings.
Sabalenka’s Strategy
It hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows for Aryna Sabalenka along the way. Fortunately for her as she heads into the final, she has a simple game plan to follow. This year’s defending champion says it’s all about trusting herself and being willing to take smart risks. “I think I have to trust myself, and I have to go after my shots,” Sabalenka stated, indicating her determination to seize control of the match.
Yes, she confesses, previous productions deeply affected how she approached this iteration. Reflecting on her previous encounters with Anisimova, Sabalenka noted, “I felt like in that match at Wimby, I was doubting a lot my decisions, and that was the main thing that was bringing a lot of unforced errors.” Having learned from these lessons, she hopes to not make the same mistakes and plans to battle for every single one.
This has been a special emotional journey for Sabalenka too. After struggling to overcome her disappointment at Roland Garros, she didn’t want to leave her fans with the wrong impression. She vowed that it would never occur after that. “What happened in Paris, definitely not gonna happen here,” she asserted, showing her commitment to maintaining composure throughout the final.
The Stakes of the Final
Both players have a lot to risk in playing this last match and carrying on its legacy. Perhaps for Anisimova, it will be an opportunity to redeem that unfortunate result—and finally achieve the elusive first Grand Slam title. At the same time, Sabalenka looks to defend her crown, and continue her rise to the pantheon of women’s tennis elite.
By all measures, Anisimova’s recent performances suggest that she is poised to return to competing with the best in the world. Her tearful post-match presser after the Wimbledon final laid bare her frustration. It also demonstrated her fierce commitment to working past those lessons. She’s running this final with a completely different mindset and focus.
As the two top players are set to face off on court, fans will be treated to an incredibly dramatic battle. The intense history between the two players only heightens the drama heading into the final. Both are undoubtedly prepared to leave everything on the court, ensuring that this event is incredible in tennis lore.
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