PREVIEW US Open WTA Semi-Finals: Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka take on American hopes Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova

The 2025 US Open women’s singles semifinals set the stage for a captivating evening of tennis as Aryna Sabalenka takes on Jessica Pegula, followed by Naomi Osaka clashing with Amanda Anisimova. Both matches pit contrasting styles and personalities against one another, promising not just high-octane rallies but also compelling narratives that have been months, even years, in the making.

Tennis enthusiasts can anticipate an evening rich in drama, precision, and power. Baseline battles, blistering serves, and strategic shot-making will intertwine with the mental fortitude each player brings to the court. Sabalenka, the world number one, will look to assert her dominance against the resilient and strategic Pegula, while Osaka, rejuvenated and battle-hardened, faces the fearless and red-hot Anisimova in a contest that could define the trajectory of both players’ seasons. Nevertheless, the US Open semifinals have two enthralling matches on Day 12.

The first semifinal encounter features Aryna Sabalenka, who has been in commanding form throughout the tournament, demonstrating her trademark power and aggression from the baseline. Her journey to the semifinals included victories over Rebeka Masarova (7-5, 6-1), Veronika Kudermetova (7-6 (4), 6-2), Leylah Fernandez (6-3, 7-6 (2)), and Clara Bucsa (6-1, 6-4), before advancing past Marketa Vondrousova in the quarterfinals via walkover. Each match highlighted her ability to dictate play with her forehand and powerful serve, while also showing improved tactical patience in longer rallies.

Jessica Pegula, the fourth seed, has matched Sabalenka’s consistency with her own series of impressive wins. Pegula began with a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Mayar Sherif, then defeated Anna Blinkova 6-1, 6-3, followed by Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 7-5 in the third round. She continued her march with a 6-1, 6-2 win against Ann Li in the round of 16, and overcame two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals. Both players are yet to drop a set this whole tournament so either way we are set for a high quality start to the semifinals.

Looking at their head-to-head record, Aryna Sabalenka enters the semifinal as a favourite against fourth seed Jessica Pegula, boasting a 7-2 head-to-head record over the American. Their rivalry has been particularly lopsided on hard courts, where Sabalenka has won three of their last four meetings, including recent finals at the WTA Miami Open (7-5, 6-2) in March 2025 and the WTA Cincinnati tournament (6-3, 7-5) in August 2024. The most high-profile clash came at last year’s US Open final, where Sabalenka secured a 7-5, 7-5 victory, demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure on the sport’s biggest stages. 

Given Sabalenka’s recent dominance in hard-court finals and her previous US Open triumph over Pegula, she enters as the favourite, but Pegula’s form and discipline make an upset a real possibility. Expect long, intense rallies, with the match likely swinging on key points and mental toughness as much as physical skill.

The second semifinal of the night will feature Naomi Osaka, the 23rd seed and four-time Grand Slam champion, who will face eighth-seeded Amanda Anisimova in a highly anticipated US Open semifinal. Osaka has demonstrated her trademark power and consistency en route to the last four, with victories over Greet Minnen (6-3, 6-4), Hailey Baptiste (6-3, 6-1), Daria Kasatkina (6-0, 4-6, 6-3), third seed Coco Gauff (6-3, 6-2), and eleventh seed Karolína Muchová in the quarterfinals (6-4, 7-6).

Anisimova, meanwhile, has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence, reaching her first US Open semifinal with a string of impressive performances. She defeated Kimberly Birrell (6-3, 6-2) in the first round, Maya Joint (7-6, 6-2) in the second, Romanian Jaqueline Cristian (6-4, 4-6, 6-2) in the third, followed by eighteenth seed Beatriz Haddad Maia (6-0, 6-3) in the round of 16, and world number two Iga Swiatek (6-4, 6-3) in the quarterfinals.

The head-to-head record between these two players slightly favors Anisimova, who has won both of their previous meetings: a 7-5, 6-4 win at the 2022 French Open and a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 victory at the 2022 Australian Open. The Australian Open meeting was particularly close, with Osaka having two match points, highlighting how tight their contests can be. This second hard court meeting should be equally competitive, with both players capable of turning matches with key moments of brilliance.

Osaka has also been in excellent form all summer, performing consistently on hard courts and showing her trademark heavy serve, penetrating groundstrokes, and mental resilience in high-pressure situations. Meanwhile, just weeks after the 6-0, 6-0 defeat in the Wimbledon final, Anisimova has shown remarkable mental resilience and has fully recovered from her previous slump. This semifinal sets up a fascinating clash between Osaka’s experience and consistency and Anisimova’s fearless, momentum-driven approach. Both players have weapons capable of dominating points, meaning the match is likely to hinge on mental composure and the ability to seize critical moments.

Overall, both semifinals showcase the depth, talent, and unpredictability of the women’s game at the US Open. Fans can expect electrifying matches, with every point potentially pivotal, and the winners will need not just skill but composure, resilience, and mental fortitude to secure a place in the final.