Furious Aryna Sabalenka slammed Amanda Anisimova with X-rated message after world No.1 shock loss

You don't have to go back far for the last Grand Slam showdown between Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova.

As the pair gear up to fight for the US Open crown on Saturday, it was back in July at Wimbledon that the two were on opposite sides of the net.

Fireworks between Sabalenka and Anisimova last time around

Chaisng her first Wimbledon final, Sabalenka was beaten by Anisimova in a tight three set defeat at the semifinal stage on Centre Court..

The game was on a knife-edge from start to finish, with both players broken several times across an error-strewn contest that saw Anisimova survive and reach her first Grand Slam final.

Sabalenka, who had suffered with the excruciating heat on Centre Court in London in July, had plenty to say during her post-match media duties.

The defending US Open champion first criticised her American opponent for a potential hindrance when she had celebrated a point while Sablenka was still chasing it down.

"I was just trying to chase the ball. She was already celebrating it. I was, like, that's a bit too early," Sabalenka said.

"Then she kind of p***ed me off saying that, oh, "that's what she does all the time".

Anisimova, who was crushed without winning a game, in the Wimbledon final by Iga Swiatek, defended herself from Sabalenka's criticism.

"I don't really know what was the deal there, to be honest, because I didn't feel like it was that interfering," Anisimova, who took a break from tennis in 2023, said.

Sabalenka, who lost her last major final to Coco Gauff at the French Open, but will be playing in a third successive US Open women's final on Saturday also took aim at Anisimova for not apologising.

"It's on her. If she barely got that point and didn't feel like saying sorry for that tricky situation, that's on her," Sabalenka added.

All to play for in New York

Sabalenka, has been beaten by Americans in all three Grand Slams this year, losing to the Australian Open final to Madison Keys, as well as Gauff in Paris and then Anisimova in the last four in London, will be looking to avoid going major-less in 2025.

The Belarusian is the clear favourite, even though Anisimova banished her demons by beating Swiatek in Wednesday's quarterfinal at Flushing Meadows before advancing to a second straight Grand Slam final.

Sabalenka almost suffered defeat in the semifinal against Jessica Pegula. In a repeat of their final from 12 months, she dropped the first set despite leading 4-2 at one stage.

But she kept her cool and battled back to claim the next two sets needed to reach her third straight US Open final.

"Hopefully I can go all the way again," said Sabalenka.

"It means a lot. I will go out there on Saturday and I will fight for every point like it's the last point of my life."

Anisimova also dropped the first in her semifinal clash before staging a comeback in her 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 over Naomi Osaka.

The 24-year-old fell to her knees after winning her match, which finished at 01:00 local time, but remains determined to become a major champion, so soon after heartbreak on the biggest stage.

"It means the world. I'm trying to process that right now - it's a dream come true," Anisimova said.

"The hope is to be the champion but I'm in the final now and I'm excited."

On Sunday, Sabalenka could become the first player since Serena Williams in 2014 to defend her US Open title.

Or a third American woman will be crowned champion from the four Slams in 2025, should Anisimova claim her first to join Gauff and Keys in the winners circle this year.

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