Updated September 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM MST

Two comeback stories collided on the tennis court Thursday night when American Amanda Anisimova and Naomi Osaka of Japan — who was also raised in the U.S. — played each other in the U.S. Open semifinals.

Anisimova defeated Osaka 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3 in just under three hours early Friday morning to advance to her first U.S. Open finals.

Anisimova will face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the women's final on Saturday. Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 earlier Thursday in what was a rematch of last year's U.S. Open final.

Anisimova and Osaka have both been working their way back up the rankings after returning from mental health breaks in recent years. Each battled her own set of challenges — as well as some of the top-ranke

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