Aryna Sabalenka Vows to Overcome Self-Doubt as She Eyes Amanda Anisimova Revenge in US Open Final

Aryna Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova and will also square off against an American player in a Grand Slam final for the third time this season.

Aryna Sabalenka Vows to Overcome Self-Doubt as She Eyes Amanda Anisimova Revenge in US Open Final

Aryna Sabalenka, Amanda Anisimova (Image via X/News Aryna Sabalenka, Ken McKinnon)

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What will Aryna Sabalenka be focusing on getting her revenge on Amanda Anisimova? Sabalenka insisted that she will be trusting herself more.

Sabalenka blamed self-doubt for her three-set defeat in the Wimbledon semifinal to Anisimova. The 24-year-old American is a player who has often challenged the World No.1, beating her in six of the nine matches they have played against each other, including three times in their Grand Slam matches.

I think I have to trust myself, and I have to go after my shots. 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. I gave her a lot of opportunities, and of course, she played incredible tennis, but I feel like I had my opportunities. I didn’t use them, and I feel like the key for me going to be just go out there, of course, like, obviously, fight, but trust my decisions and go after my shots.

Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference

The win in the semifinal was not a walk in a part from Anisimova as after losing a tough first set against Naomi Osaka and winning the following set, she was successful in capitalizing on her momentum and eventually booked a spot in her first US Open final with a 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 scoreline.

Sabalenka also came from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula in what was also a rematch of last year’s US Open final. A win over Anisimova will make her the first woman since Serena Williams (2014) to defend the US Open title.

Sabalenka will also be playing a home favorite in the US Open final for the third consecutive time. In 2023, Coco Gauff came from a set down to clinch her first Grand Slam title.

Naomi Osaka lauds Amanda Anisimova’s unpredictable tennis

Naomi Osaka was very emotional when she crashed out in the early rounds of the French Open and Wimbledon this year. Although she is disappointed for failing to make the final and winning the US Open, she is at least satisfied with her campaign.

Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova (via X/The Tennis Letter)

I wouldn’t say it’s more challenging than expected because I knew what type of player she is. Sometimes it was a bit funny because there’s no pattern in what she does. It’s like she just hits the ball, and it usually goes in.

Naomi Osaka said at the press conference

It was Osaka’s third straight defeat to the 24-year-old in as many matches they played against each other. They also faced each other for the third time in the Majors.

This season, Osaka has so far played two finals and lost both. She gave the walkover to Clara Tauson in the final of the ASB Classic and suffered a three-set defeat against home favorite Victoria Mboko in the Canadian Open final. Anisimova is chasing her second title of the season after her Qatar Open win.

The four-time Grand Slam champion last won a title at the 2021 Australian Open and also reached the US Open semifinal for the first time since 2020. Anisimova has become the first player to beat Osaka in a Grand Slam semifinal.

Also, for the first time since 2002, at least one American woman has reached the finals of all four Majors in a season. Aryna Sabalenka lost the Australian Open final to Madison Keys before suffering her career’s second Grand Slam final defeat to Coco Gauff at the French Open. Anisimova then made her career’s first Grand Slam appearance at Wimbledon, only to get double-bageled by World No.2 Iga Swiatek.

Also read: Carlos Alcaraz Hits Back at Andy Murray After Being Trolled over Golf Win: “Brave Enough to Play Me at Singles?”