A US Open star has highlighted a 'sad' detail during Naomi Osaka's dramatic defeat to Amanda Anisimova.
Home favourite Anisimova fought back from a set down to beat the four-time Grand Slam champion in a thriller on Thursday night. Having knocked out Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals, who had defeated her 6-0, 6-0 in the Wimbledon final, Anisimova now has her chance at revenge.
But she faces an uphill battle in the final with the world number one Aryna Sabalenka standing in her way.
Despite a thrilling semi-final clash, tennis star Daria Saville, who has previously competed in the US Open was left disappointed by the attendance inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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On X, she wrote: "Arthur Ashe being half empty for Anisimova vs Osaka is so sad. Do you think it's cause it's just too late??"
The first match on the Arthur Ashe Stadium was the other semi-final between Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula.
That clash began at 7pm local time and lasted just over two hours.
It meant that when Osaka's clash with Anisimova ran late into the night, large sections of the 23,771-capacity arena had emptied out.
For Saturday's final however, the scheduling is not expected to be an issue.
The match will begin at 4pm local time, or 9pm BST, so there should be a packed house for the game.
Who will win the US Open?
Sabalenka will go into the final as the strong favourite, as the Belarusian is the defending champion and the world number. She is also an outstanding hard court player, with her three Grand Slam titles all coming on that surface.
After winning back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024, she reached the final again this year, where she lost to Madison Keys. At Flushing Meadows this year, Sabalenka has been in formidable form, with her semi-final against Pegula the first time she was taken to three sets.
But Anisimova can take encouragement from her superior head to head record, leading the Belarusian six victories to three. That includes their most recent meeting in this year's Wimbledon semi-finals, where the American triumphed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Anisimova also has the advantage on hard courts. Sabalenka's only victory over her on the surface came at the 2024 Australian Open.
For Anisimova, Saturday's final offers a chance at redemption after she suffered the heaviest defeat in Grand Slam final history earlier this year.
And although her opponent may feel imperious, she has proven that she can beat her in the past.
Topics: Naomi Osaka, Tennis, US Open
James Taylor