06/09/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | SEPT 6, 2025

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Sabalenka returns to US Open final …as Anisimova sinks Osaka to set up Flushing Meadowa clash R EIGNING champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will play Amanda Anisimova in She finished runner-up at the Australian Open and Roland Garros earlier this year. “I badly wanted to give myself much better than I have played her the last few times,” she told reporters. “I feel like going into the next match, I kind of know what I need to do. “Obviously executing it is a

Naomi eager for more after run ends

N AOMI O S AKA felt inspired by her US Open run and said she couldn’t be “mad or upset” after losing to Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals yesterday. The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan had not progressed to the second week of a major since winning the Australian Open for a second time in 2021. But she was a set away from reaching another final before Anisimova fought back to claim a 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win in a match that finished shortly before 1am local time. “Honestly I don’t feel sad. It’s really weird. I just feel like I did the best that I could,” said Osaka. “It’s kind of

train and try to get better, and hopefully, yeah, just give it my very best shot again and see what happens. But I think I can’t be mad or upset at myself.” Only three women – Australians Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong, and Belgium’s Kim Clijsters – have won Grand Slam singles titles in the Open era after having children. Osaka 27, returned to the courts in early 2024 after giving birth to a daugh ter. She failed to get past the second round of any Grand Slam last year and lost in the first round of the French Open in May. A run to the Montreal final last month gave her renewed belief she could return to the level that propelled her to world number one six years ago. “Getting far in the US Open was defi nitely a confidence booster,” said Osaka. “Doing well in Montreal was a confidence booster. I honestly got a little farther than I thought I would.” “I have to understand what my level is, what I was able to achieve last year, and I think if I put everything into perspective, I feel like I did really good this year,” she continued. “Even before playing this tournament, I already exceeded my expectations. “I was kind of just thinking about it, but my worst year is someone’s best year, in retro spect. So I just have to find ways to trick my mind into being positive.” – AFP

another opportunity, another final, and I want to prove to myself that I learned those tough lessons and I can do better in the finals,” added Sabalenka. Pegula brought some of her best tennis to Flushing Meadows this year but after winning the first set she struggled to absorb the three-time major winner’s power. “I really played great tennis. I think I handled that pressure really well,” said Sabalenka. “The whole match I just keep telling myself, into the next one, just one step at a time, don’t worry about the past. Just try better in the next point.” Pegula also lost to Sabalenka in the Miami final earlier this year, we well as in the 2024 Cincinnati championship match, and now trails the Belarusian 2-8 in career head-to-head meetings. “Strategically I played her

the US Open final after the American ended the run of Japanese star Naomi Osaka yes terday. Sabalenka overcame Pegula 4 6, 6-3, 6-4 in a re-run of last year’s final and is seeking to become the first player to successfully defend the title in New York since Serena Williams in 2014. The 27-year-old from Belarus is through to her third successive US Open final. “It was a really tough match – she (Pegula) played incredible tennis as always and I had to work really hard to get this win,” said Sabalenka. “Just super happy to be back in the final and hopefully I can go all the way again.” Sabalenka has now made the final at four of the last five Grand Slams but has not added to her haul of three majors since winning the 2024 US Open.

bowled by a magical slow ball from Lungi Ngidi for 61, the same score that Root had scored before being stumped off the bowling of spinner Keshav Maharaj, South Africa were in the driving seat. Will Jacks responded with some big hitting until he was dismissed for 39 to leave England’s hopes of an improbable victory looking forlorn. Some courageous late hitting by Jofra Archer, including two sixes, induced some South African jitters but England ended on 325-9 to give the visitors an reached her second major final in a row after rallying to overcome Osaka 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in a match that stretched well past midnight in New York. “I wasn’t sure I would make it past the finish line. “I tried to dig deep. It was a huge fight out there,” said Anisimova. “It means the world. I’m trying to process that right now, it’s a dream come true. “The hope is to be the champion but I’m in the final now and I’m excited.” – AFP/Reuters different story. It was too good from her today at some points.” Sabalenka will try to avenge her Wimbledon semifinal loss to Anisimova tomorrow (4am Malaysian time). The eighth-seeded Anisimova

inspiring for me, because it makes me just want to

Osaka. – AFPPIC

SHORTS

became the first player to score half centuries in each of his first five ODI appearances to set up his side’s gripping series-clinching five-run victory over England at Lord’s yesterday. Breetzke scored 85 and shared in a 147-run fourth-wicket partnership with Tristan Stubbs as South Africa recovered from losing three quick wickets to post a formidable 330-8. Tasked with pulling off a record ODI run chase at Lord’s, England lost Jamie Smith first ball but

Jobs

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McIlroy calls for ‘common sense’

RORY MCILROY called on rules officials to use “common sense” after his group was given a slow play warning during the first round of the Irish Open yesterday. McIlroy, who was playing with Thriston Lawrence and Kristoffer Reitan, was frustrated after the warning at the K Club. The world No. 2 finished the day five shots off the pace. Dane Thorbjorn Olesen, France’s Romain Langasque and Spain’s Ignacio Elvira all hit 6-under 66 rounds to share the lead. “In all honesty I felt a little rushed out there for the last 12 holes,” said the Northern Irishman, a five-time major winner. “We got put on the clock pretty early, and then the first official went away and then we were put on the clock for the last three holes to try to make time up.” McIlroy was not helped by the struggles of South African Lawrence (81) and Norway’s Reitan (77), who both hit their ball into the water on the seventh hole. Irishman Shane Lowry, who, along with McIlroy, is a member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team, carded three birdies in his last six holes to stay in touch with a 69. Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka matched McIlroy’s 71. European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald finished his first round with a 5-over par 77. Proteas seal series win over England S OUTH AFRICA’ S Matthew Breetzke

fluent partnerships between Joe Root and Jacob Bethell and then Harry Brook and Joss Buttler kept them in the hunt. When Buttler was

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Matthew Breetzke. – AFPPIC

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