By Ben Phillips
The 2025 US Open semi-finals lived up to the immense hype that had built over the last fortnight, delivering drama, quality, and storylines that will be remembered for years to come. From Carlos Alcaraz ending Novak Djokovic’s run in straight sets to Amanda Anisimova powering through Naomi Osaka in the match of the round, every corner of Flushing Meadows buzzed with anticipation and intensity. With the stage now set for both the men’s and women’s finals, history is on the line.
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic – 6-4, 7-6, 6-2
From the very first game of the night session on Arthur Ashe, Carlos Alcaraz looked intent on making a statement. Breaking Novak Djokovic immediately, the Spaniard never once let go of the initiative, suffocating Djokovic with his power, court coverage, and tactical awareness.
The match’s key moment came in the second set when Djokovic briefly held a 3-1 lead. For a moment, it looked as though the 38-year-old Serbian might claw his way into the contest. Yet Alcaraz responded like the world-class champion he already is, reclaiming the break. From there, the tiebreak was one-way traffic, Alcaraz raising his level to move within one set of the final.
By the third set, Djokovic simply didn’t have the weapons to hurt him. Alcaraz raced away 6-2, sealing victory with a huge first serve followed by a forehand winner.
The numbers tell the story: Alcaraz finished with 31 winners to Djokovic’s 15, and perhaps more significantly, he hasn’t dropped a single set en route to the final. That kind of dominance hasn’t been seen at the US Open since Federer’s prime years.
Djokovic, meanwhile, looked a step slower than in previous rounds, his resistance admirable but not quite enough. It may not have been vintage Novak, but his effort was a reminder of his enduring grit. For Alcaraz, however, this was the clearest signal yet that the new era has truly arrived.
Jannik Sinner defeats Felix Auger-Aliassime – 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
If Alcaraz’s victory was straightforward, Jannik Sinner’s path to the final was a bit more turbulent. After dominating the first set 6-1 with breathtaking ball striking, Sinner suddenly faltered in the second. His first serve percentage dropped below 50%, he started leaking unforced errors, and most worryingly, he appeared to tweak something in his stomach, requiring a medical timeout.
Felix Auger-Aliassime, fresh off one of the best wins of his career over Alexander Zverev earlier in the tournament, capitalised on the dip, taking the second set 6-3 and briefly raising hopes of a shock.
Yet Sinner responded like a world No. 1. Returning from treatment, he steadied his serve, began redirecting rallies with more control, and turned the match back in his favour. He edged the third set 6-3 and then survived a late push from Felix in the fourth to close it out 6-4.
What impressed most was Sinner’s composure. Despite physical doubts and momentum swings, he stayed calm under pressure, something that he has done better than anyone over the last few years. Having now reached all four Grand Slam finals in 2025, his mental fortitude matches his ball-striking brilliance.
The final against Alcaraz marks the first time in the Open Era that two men have faced each other in three Slam finals in a single season. Sinner has contested all four, while Alcaraz has appeared in three, missing only Melbourne. This rivalry is defining the era, and Flushing Meadows will host the latest, possibly greatest, chapter.
Amanda Anisimova defeats Naomi Osaka – 6-7, 7-6, 6-3
(Performance and Match of the Round)
If Alcaraz-Djokovic was the headline, Anisimova-Osaka was the blockbuster. Two players with huge fan bases, massive firepower, and emotional storylines delivered the most gripping match of the tournament so far.
Naomi Osaka, a four-time Slam champion, struck first blood, taking the opening set in a tiebreak after some scintillating baseline exchanges. The Japanese star looked like she might rediscover the aura that carried her to glory in New York in 2018 and 2020.
Yet Amanda Anisimova, still just 24 but playing with a maturity that belies her years, refused to fold. Memories of her 6-0, 6-0 humiliation at the hands of Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final could easily have haunted her. Instead, she turned that painful loss into fuel.
The second set was a war of attrition, with neither player giving an inch. Osaka earned a mini break in the tiebreak, but Anisimova unleashed a series of fearless forehands to snatch it 7-6, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
By the third set, the momentum was hers. The American broke early, consolidated with clutch serving, and sealed the match 6-3. Her reaction was raw, emotional, and full of belief.
Anisimova not only won the match but also the Performance of the Round. Her ability to rebound from setbacks, both within the match and in her career, has been remarkable. Now into her second consecutive Slam final, she is no longer the outsider—she’s a genuine contender.
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Jessica Pegula – 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
If Anisimova represents youth and resurgence, Aryna Sabalenka embodies consistency. The world No. 1 booked her place in her third Grand Slam final of the season with a comeback win over Jessica Pegula, reminding everyone why she has been the most reliable force in women’s tennis over the last two years.
Pegula started brightly, taking the first set 6-4 with controlled aggression and clever use of angles. But Sabalenka gradually began to hit through her, finding her rhythm on serve and extending rallies until Pegula cracked.
The Belarusian stormed through the second 6-3 and then used her trademark power to edge a tense third set 6-4. For Pegula, it was another impressive Slam run, but once again, she fell short against the very elite. For Sabalenka, the mission is clear: to finally convert her consistency into another Grand Slam trophy.
Having lost in the finals of both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, this match is more than just a title shot, it’s about avoiding a narrative of near-misses. For a player of her calibre, going a full season without a major would be considered a major failure.
Looking Ahead – A Historic Weekend Awaits
The stage could not be set more perfectly.
On the men’s side, Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner is not just a final; it is a defining clash of an era. Their rivalry is already one of the most compelling in tennis, and this marks the third Slam final of 2025 they contest against one another. Alcaraz has looked untouchable in New York, not dropping a set. Sinner, meanwhile, has fought through adversity, overcoming injuries, pressure, and high-calibre opponents. The contrast between Alcaraz’s explosiveness and Sinner’s calm control promises an electrifying spectacle.
On the women’s side, Amanda Anisimova vs Aryna Sabalenka is a fascinating rematch of their Wimbledon semi-final, where Anisimova stunned the world No. 1. Sabalenka will be desperate for revenge, while Anisimova rides the confidence of back-to-back finals and the crowd’s backing in New York. It’s a clash of raw power, fearless mentality, and different kinds of pressure: Sabalenka seeking validation, Anisimova seeking arrival.
Performance of the Round goes to Amanda Anisimova, who produced the finest display of her career under the harshest spotlight. Match of the Round was unquestionably Anisimova vs Osaka, a three-set epic that reminded everyone why women’s tennis can produce drama and quality to rival any match on the calendar.
As we head into finals weekend, the 2025 US Open is on the cusp of history. Will Sinner and Alcaraz continue their monopoly on men’s tennis, or will one begin to edge ahead? Will Sabalenka finally claim the Slam her year deserves, or will Anisimova complete her fairy-tale redemption arc?
One thing is certain: Flushing Meadows has saved the best for last.
