Amanda Anisimova of the United States reacts to defeating Naomi Osaka of Japan in the semi-final on Day 12 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2025 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — Arthur Ashe Stadium played host to back-to-back action-packed semifinal matches, serving up aces and upsets in the women’s singles semifinal as American Amanda Anisimova and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka advance to the Grand Slam final.
The semifinals opened with the match between No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. No.4 Jessica Pegula.
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jess Pegula to advance to US Open final
The reigning U.S. Open champ brought the heat under the lights against Pegula, who had fallen short to Sabalenka as the 2024 runner up.
But it was Sabalenka who would end up prevailing on Thursday night, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, in a closely fought match that saw Sabalenka win only two more points than Pegula did the entire match.
Amanda Anisimova punches ticket to 1st US Open final
The second semifinal match saw No.8 Amanda Anisimova against No.23 Naomi Osaka.
Following her upset over Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals, the 2025 Wimbledon finalist took on two-time U.S. Open champion Osaka.
Anisimova fought for 2 hours and 56 minutes to keep American’s hopes of winning the title.
Anisimova ended up rallying back to defeat Japan’s Naomi Osaka, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3, to reach her first U.S. Open final and second consecutive Grand Slam title match.
The stage is now set for a thrilling final on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Billie Jean King Tennis Center as Anisimova chases her first major title.
In the meantime, the two men’s singles semifinals take place Friday with the first match between four of the sport’s top talents in the hunt to make the final Sunday.
No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz will face four-time US Open champion and No. 7 seed Novak Djokovic.
Defending U.S. Open champion Jannik Sinner takes on No. 25 Felix Auger-Aliassime during the night session on Arthur Ashe, seeking his fifth major title.
(HAVANA, Fla.) — A Florida State University freshman linebacker was shot and critically wounded Sunday night while visiting family in Havana, Florida, just one day after the team’s stunning victory over the University of Alabama.
Ethan Pritchard was found by Gadsden County Sheriff’s deputies near Havana Heights Apartments, authorities said. He was rushed to a local hospital where he remained in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit.
The shooting came amid celebrations following Florida State’s historic 31-17 upset over No. 8 Alabama on Saturday. The win marked Alabama’s first non-conference regular-season road loss in 20 years.
“The Pritchard family is thankful for the support from so many people, as well as the care from first responders and medical professionals,” Florida State officials said in a statement Monday.
The family has requested privacy as Pritchard recovers.
Pritchard did not play in Saturday’s victory at Doak Campbell Stadium, where the Seminoles dominated the heavily favored Crimson Tide.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken the lead in the investigation. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact FDLE or Investigator DeLeon at 850-627-9233. Tips can also be submitted through Big Bend Crime Solvers at 850-574-TIPS or via their P3 Mobile App.
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia during their Women’s Singles First Round match on Day Three of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 26, 2025. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
(NEW YORK) — American tennis star Coco Gauff survived a grueling three-set first-round match at the U.S. Open on Tuesday.
She closed out a service hold at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium to take the match in two hours and 57 minutes, advancing to the next round.
“It was a tough match. I had chances for it to be straight sets, but Ajla [Tomljanović] was tough,” she said of her Australian opponent. “I wasn’t the best but yeah, I am happy to get through to the next round.”
The No. 3-ranked women’s singles star struggled with her serve all night and dropped the second set in a tiebreak, then rallied in the final set to win 6-4, 6-7, 7-5.
The 2023 U.S. Open champion had the home turf crowd behind her all the way through the decisive final set.
“I feel like it’s in the right direction, and I think for me it’s trying not to go back to old habits in those tighter moments,” Gauff said after the match.
