Pegula and Osaka end their runs at the US Open

Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka made it close to playing each other in the US Open finals.

The dream match for Asian and Asian American tennis fans won't be happening at the US Open. Not this year, at least.

Both Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka lost their games in the US Open semi-finals Thursday. But they didn't go down without a fight. Both of their matches went three sets.

In a rematch of last year's finals, defending US Open champion Anna Sabalenka overcame fourth seed Pegula in a thrilling three-set semifinal, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I don't know how I didn't break back in the third,” said Korean American Pegula. “I didn't feel like I did much wrong.

“I'm one of the top players in the world. I always feel I can go out, and I can beat these girls. Even though I maybe don't have the massive weapons that some of them have or the flashiness that some of them have, I feel like I'm always right there every time I play them."

Playing some of her best tennis, Japan's Naomi Osaka, the No. 23 US Open seed, battled the world's No. 1 ranked Amanda Anisinova in the tightly fought semifinals, 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3.

Osaka, a single mother, gave birth to her child in 2023 and is just returning to the form that won her four Grand Slam titles. Her showing at this year's US Open was her best performance since taking time off to have her baby.

In her post-match press conference, an upbeat the American-raised Osaka said: “I don’t feel sad, it’s really weird.

“Well, it’s not weird because I just feel that I did the best that I could,” explained the two-time US Open champion.

“And honestly, it’s kind of inspiring for me because it makes me just want to train and try to get better and hopefully just give it my best shot again and see what happens.

“I think I can’t be mad or upset at myself. I am happy that I lost in the semis instead of the first round or the third round, which is where I usually get to!”

Both Pegula and Osaka are playing some of their best tennis and their performance at the US Open and the tennis world will undoubtedly hear a lot more of them in the coming year.

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