US Open
After defeating Jessica Pegula in a close three-set match, Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in Thursday night’s US Open women’s singles final. After losing the first set 4-6, the Belarusian stormed back to win the second 6-3 and then remained composed in the final, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
With the win, Sabalenka advances to the Grand Slam final and will play on Anisimova.
Anisimova defeats Naomi Osaka in a thrilling semi-final.
In a thrilling three-set match, American Amanda Anisimova defeated Naomi Osaka of Japan in the other women’s singles semifinal. Osaka won the first set 7–6, but Anisimova rallied to tie the score with a 7–6 victory in the second set. In the final, the 23-year-old American defeated Osaka 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 after breaking Osaka’s serve.
Osaka played in her first US Open semifinal in three years and had some of her finest play, but she was unable to hold off Anisimova’s late comeback. While Anisimova made it to her first Grand Slam final, the Japanese star’s promising campaign ended in heartache.
Heartbreak in the semi-finals destroys Bhambri’s doubles ambition.
In the men’s semifinals, Yuki Bhambri’s incredible doubles run came to an end from an Indian standpoint. In a taxing match against the British duo of Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, Bhambri lost 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 4-6 in almost three hours at Louis Armstrong Arena while paired with Michael Venus of New Zealand.
Venus, ranked 14th, and Bhambri had their opportunities after winning the first set and gaining a break in the second. Missed chances, however, cost them dearly as Salisbury and Skupski improved to regain the lead and secure a spot in the championship match.
Indian tennis is still lifted by its historic run.
Even if it was disappointing, Bhambri’s performance will go down as a game-changer. He earned his first-ever Grand Slam semi-final appearance during his campaign, which included a historic quarterfinal triumph over Rajeev Ram and Nikola Mektic.
His rise from a singles possibility to India’s main doubles hope is highlighted by the fact that the 33-year-old is currently expected to place in the top 25 of the men’s doubles rankings. Indian tennis fans have a lot to celebrate with Bhambri’s ascent as Rohan Bopanna approaches the end of his career.
