Anisimova fights back to set up final with Sabalenka

BBC Online :

Amanda Anisimova fought back from a set down to beat the resurgent Naomi Osaka on Thursday and set up an enticing US Open final against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
In a topsy-turvy battle, Anisimova took charge of the deciding set win 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 and reach back-to-back Grand Slam finals.
The American eighth seed fell to a humbling 6-0, 6-0 defeat by Iga Swiatek in her first major final at Wimbledon in July.
But 54 days on, she ensured another shot at Grand Slam glory after following up her quarter-final revenge victory over Swiatek with a gritty win against two-time US Open winner Osaka.
Eighth seed Anisimova fell to her knees in celebration after a three-hour tussle that ended at just before 01:00 local time.
Her reward is a meeting Saturday’s showpiece against world number one Sabalenka, who earlier claimed a steely 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback win over Jessica Pegula.
“It means the world. I’m trying to process that right now – it’s a dream come true,” Anisimova said.
“The hope is to be the champion but I’m in the final now and I’m excited.”
Eight weeks ago, Anisimova gained the unwanted title of becoming the first woman to lose a Wimbledon final 6-0, 6-0 in 114 years.
Such a high-profile loss could have been enough to knock anyone’s confidence. But Anisimova has responded in scintillating fashion, grinding her way through the early rounds at Flushing Meadows before producing “the most meaningful victory of my life” in the last eight against Swiatek.
It continues a standout year for Anisimova, who dropped out of the world’s top 400 after taking a seven-month mental health break in May 2023.
This year, she has broken into the top-10 and won the biggest title of her career in Qatar in February before finishing as runner-up at SW19.