US Open Final 2025: Sabalenka Sets Up Anisimova Clash After Beating Pegula, Osaka Falls

World number one and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the US Open final, where she will face American Amanda Anisimova, after a dramatic Thursday night of tennis in New York.

Sabalenka, the top seed, rallied past Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a repeat of last year’s final. The Belarusian is now aiming to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2014 to successfully defend the title at Flushing Meadows.

“It was a really tough match — she (Pegula) played incredible tennis as always and I had to work really hard to get this win,” Sabalenka said. “Just super happy to be back in the final and hopefully I can go all the way again.”

The 27-year-old, contesting her third consecutive US Open final, has now reached four of the last five Grand Slam finals but is still chasing her first major since lifting the trophy in New York last year. She previously finished runner-up at both the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2025.

“I 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,” she added.

Sabalenka overcame a shaky first set in which Pegula broke twice to snatch it 6-4. The world number one regrouped quickly, seizing an early break in the second set and forcing a decider. A determined third-set performance, sealed with a crunching forehand on her third match point, sent her back to the final.

“It was too good from her today at some points,” admitted Pegula.

— Wimbledon rematch —
Sabalenka’s opponent will be eighth seed Amanda Anisimova, who overcame Naomi Osaka 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 in a late-night thriller to secure back-to-back Grand Slam finals.

“I wasn’t sure I would make it past the finish line. I tried to dig deep. It was a huge fight out there,” Anisimova said. “It means the world. I’m trying to process that right now, it’s a dream come true. The hope is to be the champion but I’m in the final now and I’m excited.”

Osaka, seeded 23rd, was bidding for her first major final since winning the 2021 Australian Open, but despite edging the opening set tie-break, she faltered against Anisimova’s relentless return game.

After trading multiple breaks in a nervy second set, Anisimova leveled in the tie-break and carried her momentum into the decider. A crucial break for 3-1 gave her control, and though Osaka saved two match points and threatened a late comeback, the American closed it out at the third opportunity.

Saturday’s final will see Sabalenka attempt to avenge her Wimbledon semi-final defeat to Anisimova, with both players eyeing history at Flushing Meadows.