Sabalenka sets up Anisimova blockbuster

Battler Pegula loses, Osaka’s dream dies

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Reigning champion and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka will play Amanda Anisimova in the US Open final after the American ended the run of Japanese star Naomi Osaka on Thursday.

Sabalenka overcame Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a rerun of last year’s final and is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend the title in New York since Serena Williams in 2014.

The 27-year-old from Belarus is through to her third successive US Open final.

“Tt was a really tough match — she [Pegula] played incredible tennis as always and I had to work really hard to get this win,’ said Sabalenka.

“Just super happy to be back in the final and hopefully I can go all the way again”

Sabalenka has now made the final at four of the last five Grand Slams but has not added to her haul of three majors since winning the 2024 US Open.

She finished runner-up at the Australian Open and Roland Garros earlier this year.

“T badly wanted to give myself another opportunity, another final, and I want to prove to myself that I learned those tough lessons and I can do better in the finals,’ added Sabalenka.