Just two months after reaching her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, the American rallied from a set down to defeat the four-time major champion 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 in a thrilling contest that stretched just under three hours inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Anisimova\u2019s win was historic, making her the first player to ever beat Osaka in a major semifinal. The match saw both players trade breaks relentlessly through the opening two sets before Anisimova steadied herself in the decisive stages. Osaka dominated the first-set tiebreak, but the 27-year-old American hit back in the second, racing through her own breaker to level the match, as per WTA.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cNaomi is playing amazing tennis,\u201d Anisimova said after the match. \u201cShe\u2019s back where she belongs, and I told her I\u2019m so proud of her. After having a baby, to be playing at this level -- it\u2019s insane. She was really giving me a run for the final, and I wasn\u2019t sure I\u2019d make it past the finish line.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis tournament means so much to me, and I think that was really getting to me. In the end, I was just trying to fight my way through and enjoy the moment. We were both playing some amazing tennis, and sometimes I was like, \u2018How are we making these shots?\u2019 But we were -- and we just kept going.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cNaomi is playing amazing tennis,\u201d Anisimova said after the match. \u201cShe\u2019s back where she belongs, and I told her I\u2019m so proud of her. After having a baby, to be playing at this level -- it\u2019s insane. She was really giving me a run for the final, and I wasn\u2019t sure I\u2019d make it past the finish line.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The result sets up a showdown with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, a rematch of their Wimbledon semifinal, which Anisimova won. With her second straight Slam final, she also ensures that an American woman has featured in every major final this season \u2014 the first time that has happened since 2002.<\/p>\r\n\r\n