Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova face off in the second of tonight’s women’s semifinal match at the 2025 U.S. Open — and it is very much a battle between two women looking for redemption in their second acts.
Both Osaka and Anisimova stepped away from tennis in recent years, citing the sport’s intense mental and emotional demands. Tennis places young stars alone under the spotlight, battling through single-elimination pressure, and both women needed time to reset.
Now, they’re back — and playing some of their best tennis. Osaka, a new mother, has returned with a ferocity and focus that remind everyone she is a four-time Grand Slam champion, including two U.S. Open titles.
Anisimova burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old French Open semifinalist in 2019, but tragedy struck just weeks later when her father suddenly passed away. Four years later, she took her own break from the game before returning in 2024. This season, she has surged, scoring two wins over Aryna Sabalenka since last fall, showcasing her own power game.
She reached the Wimbledon final this summer, where she fell to Iga Swiatek in a double bagel. But here in New York, she turned the tables — stunning Swiatek in the quarterfinals to avenge that loss and book her place in tonight’s semifinal.
Osaka–Anisimova Head-to-Head
Anisimova leads the head-to-head 2–0, having defeated Osaka at the 2022 Australian Open and 2022 French Open.
Prediction
Osaka in three sets. Anisimova’s undefeated H2H record and fearless power swinging demonstrate she’ll make it competitive. But those victories came when Osaka was at her lowest. Expect Osaka to rally with experience and close it out in three.
How to Watch Naomi Osaka vs. Amanda Anisimova
Tonight’s match between Naomi Osaka and Amanda Anisimova is now expected to start at around 9:55 PM Eastern at Arthur Ashe Stadium, after Aryna Sabalenka’s defeat of Jessica Pegula in three sets in the previous women’s semifinal.
The match airs live on ESPN and streams live on the ESPN app and website.
Osaka vs. Anisimova
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
Expected Start Time: 9:55 PM Eastern
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing, NY
Court: Arthur Ashe Stadium
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and website
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