Amanda Anisimova dismantled Naomi Osaka in shock Grand Slam defeat that provoked emotional reflection

Amanda Anisimova vs Naomi Osaka clashes tend to have fireworks.

The pair, who face off in the 2025 US Open semifinal, have only faced each other twice in their careers, with both matches coming at Grand Slams and Anisimova taking home the victory each time.

Osaka and Anisimova's first meeting

The first time the pair met was at the Australian Open in 2022.

Osaka was the defending champion and Anisimova was the unseeded 20-year-old prodigy.

And after being two match points down, the American stunned everyone, including Osaka, and rallied for a thrilling 4-6 6-3 7-6[10-5] victory in two hours, 15 minutes.

Osaka, who withdrew from the French Open to prioritise her mental health the year before, spoke philosophically about the defeat.

“I fought for every point, I can’t be sad about that,” Osaka said her defeat.

“You know, like, I’m not God, I can’t win every match. So I just have to take that into account and know that it would be nice to win the tournament, but that’s really special, and I can’t think of myself to try to win the grand slam at the start of the year every time."

Anisimova defeated Osaka in a second straight Grand Slam

It wouldn't be long before Anisimova inflicted yet more pain on Osaka.

This time it was at the French Open, less than five months after their Australian Open clash.

Anisimova handled Osaka with ease in a straight sets, first-round win in Paris.

The four-time Grand Slam winner couldn't keep up with Anisimova's serve and struggled herself as she put up four double-faults in the first set alone.

When Osaka went 4-3 down the writing was on the wall. Anisimova would later convert her third match point and take home the win.

Despite Anisimova overcoming the Japanese star at the previous major, a first-round exit for Osaka still stunned the tennis world at the time.

"It was very difficult [with] a lot of anticipation over the last couple of days," Anisimova told reporters after the match.

"I was trying not to think about it too much, but going into the match, I did feel like the stress and the nerves a bit, because it is a very tough first round.

"I'm just happy with how I was able to manage it and get through it.

Osaka, who was battling an ankle injury prior to the match, cut a dejected figure in her press conference following the defeat.

She even hinted she wouldn't play at the next major, Wimbledon, in what was an emotional reflection on where she is with her tennis.

"I just can’t go at it 100%. I didn’t even make my decision yet, but I’m leaning more towards not playing given the current circumstances, but that might change," Osaka said at the time.

Who has the advantage in 2025?

It's been a resurgent few weeks for Osaka, who made the final of the Canadian Open prior to arriving in New York for the 2025 US Open.

She is also benefiting from the fruits of a new coach in Tomasz Wiktorowski, who used to work with Iga Swiatek.

Now, Osaka is into her third semi-final at Flushing Meadows. After defeating world No.3 Coco Gauff, she'll fancy her chances of finally getting a Grand Slam win over Anisimova.

Nevertheless, it's obvious that the semifinal match won't be easy.

Anisimova enjoys an undefeated record against Osaka and is looking to make consecutive major finals following her stunning Wimbledon run that ended in a crushing defeat to Swiatek.

But that defeat has been forgotten, as Anisimova exacted revenge on the Pole by beating her in the quarterfinal stage of this year's US Open.

Both players have caused upsets so far this tournament. And while Anisimova is in the better overall form, Osaka is riding a wave of momentum that is reminiscent of her Grand Slam-winning days.

Click here to read article