NEW YORK — It is impossible to look ahead to Amanda Anisimova's U.S. Open final against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday without viewing it through the prism of what happened less than two months ago at the last Grand Slam tournament, Wimbledon.

Impossible for Anisimova . Impossible for Sabalenka. Impossible for anyone, really.

That's because, for one thing, Anisimova made it to her first title match at any Grand Slam tournament by beating the No. 1-ranked Sabalenka in the semifinals at the All England Club to improve to 6-3 in their head-to-head series. And because, of course, Anisimova's major final debut ended with a loss — and not just any sort of loss, but a 6-0, 6-0 shutout against Iga Swiatek . Amanda Anisimova seeks her 1st major title, Aryna Sabalenka her

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