Quick Served Day 12 — The Final Weekend Awaits
Andy Roddick breaks down the women’s semifinals after Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova battled their way into the US Open final.
From Sabalenka’s grit to Anisimova’s toughness, Andy highlights what makes each player dangerous heading into Saturday.
He also looks ahead to the men’s semifinals, offering insight into what it will take to upset Alcaraz and Sinner.
Don’t miss the full Day 12 recap!
*Results from end of play on September 4.
Anisimova, Sabalenka Rally to Reach Final
Amanda Anisimova and Aryna Sabalenka are set for a third straight Grand Slam showdown after each battled back from a first-set loss on Thursday.
Anisimova held on to beat No. 23 Naomi Osaka 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3 in a thrilling match that lasted nearly three hours. For Osaka, a four-time major winner, the loss marks her first in the quarterfinal, semifinal, or final round of a Slam.
The No. 8 seeded Anisimova admitted she felt nerves early in the match, but overcame them to reach her second straight major final.
In the later moments of the second set I was trying to remind myself what was on the line and the opportunity I have…I just keep telling myself that I can do it, and I believe in myself. I keep saying that over and over again, not just in the match, but the whole day.
Amanda Anisimova
Anisimova, born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, can be the fourth different American to win a Slam since 2020. She’s projected to reach a new career-high ranking of World No. 4.
Sabalenka returns to the US Open final after winning the rematch of last year’s title contest against Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 for her 100th major victory.
The defending champion is into her sixth consecutive final at hard court majors and can be the first woman to win back-to-back US Open titles since Serena Williams won three straight from 2012-14.
Sabalenka extends her streak of facing American opponents in Grand Slam finals this season. She lost to Madison Keys in Australia and to Coco Gauff in Paris.
I want to prove to myself that I learned those tough lessons and I can do better in the finals…If I'll be able to hold that trophy, it's going to mean a lot for me. I'll be the happiest person on earth, probably.
Aryna Sabalenka
She can win her fourth major and avenge her Wimbledon semifinal loss to Anisimova on Saturday.
Sabalenka trails Anisimova 3-6 in their head-to-head.
The two have split their major meetings in 2025, with Anisimova winning at Wimbledon while Sabalenka took their Round of 16 match at Roland-Garros.
The women’s final is scheduled for 4:00 PM Saturday (Eastern Time).
Men’s Semifinals Preview
3:00 PM: No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 7 Novak Djokovic
Alcaraz has yet to drop a set in New York, won 68 of 69 service games, and can reach his third Slam final of the season with a win Friday.
At 38, Djokovic reached his fourth major semifinal of 2025, continuing his quest for that historic 25th Slam title. Djokovic won his last match against Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of Australia earlier this year.
7:00 PM: No. 1 Jannik Sinner vs. No. 25 Felix Auger-Aliassime
Sinner takes his 26 match win streak at hard court majors into his fifth-straight Slam semifinal. A fifth major title would tie his rival Alcaraz.
Auger-Aliassime found his form since a 6-0, 6-2 loss to Sinner in Cincinnati. The Canadian has beaten three straight Top-15 seeds and now looks to pull-off a major upset to reach his first Slam final.
Friday’s Full Schedule of Play
Have You Watched the Live Semifinal Preview Show?
1 — Amanda Anisimova is the youngest player to reach the singles finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in a season since Serena and Venus Williams in 2002.
2 — Both women's singles semifinal winners, Anisimova & Sabalenka, reached the final after losing the first set for the second time at the US Open (1993).
3 — Since 1988, Aryna Sabalenka is the third player to reach the women’s singles final at both the Australian and US Open in three consecutive years after Steffi Graf (1988-90) and Martina Hingis (1997-99).
Day 11 poll results: 32% of respondents correctly predicted the Sabalenka-Anisimova final.
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