For any player, reaching a Grand Slam final is the pinnacle.

Amanda Anisimova achieved that in July at Wimbledon having failed to make it through qualifying the previous year.

But to go from suffering a demoralising defeat at SW19 to reaching a second consecutive final just two months later is simply astonishing.

Anisimova's US Open run - which included beating Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals - has been an immense show of character and resilience.

Although not the most effusive character, the steely determination that has allowed her to brush off such a brutal defeat makes her a fearsome opponent.

The last time Aryna Sabalenka gave a news conference after a difficult Grand Slam final loss, she handled it badly.

Sabalenka later described her own comments - that French Open champion Coco Gauff had won their final "not because she played incredible [but] because I made all those mistakes" - as "completely unprofessional".

The Belarusian dominated headlines in the weeks following the comments.

But Sabalenka was keen to stress in the build up to this match that that will not happen again, regardless of tonight's result.

"What happened in Paris is definitely not gonna happen here. I learned that lesson, and I will never behave that way," she said.

"It's not me - was super emotional. I let emotions take control over me, and it's not who I am. It's never gonna happen again."

Aryna Sabalenka looked calm and relaxed early as she practiced with her team.

She's been here before.

Image source, Getty Images

Learning to control that emotion is where Sabalenka must improve if she is to triumph again in New York - particularly when facing a partisan home crowd.

After her semi-final defeat at SW19, Sabalenka said Anisimova was "more brave" with her shots, and she needs to remind herself that she is the one at the top of the rankings in the key moments.

Sabalenka remains the outstanding player on the women's tour. She has won 55 matches this year, claimed three titles and has a 3,292-point lead at the top of the rankings.

She is the first woman to reach the both the Australian and US Opens finals for three consecutive years since Martina Hingis in 1999, as well as the first to reach three major singles finals in a calendar year since Serena Williams in 2016.

But, for all those impressive statistics, ending 2025 without a Grand Slam would potentially be disastrous to a serial winner like Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka's 2025 Grand Slam record:

Australian Open - runner-up

French Open - runner-up

Wimbledon - semi-finalist

US Open - ??

A compelling character on and off the court, Sabalenka wears her heart on her sleeve.

While endearing to tennis fans, it has proved costly on the big stages.

All three Grand Slams this year have ended in devastating defeats to American opponents. Madison Keys out-hit Sabalenka in Australia, Coco Gauff outlasted her in Paris before Amanda Anisimova stepped up another gear at Wimbledon.

Sabalenka's passion and desperation to win has often erupted into frustration and fury, while her eagerness to overpower her opponents can cause her to become error-strewn.

Sometimes that emotion has spilled over into her words. She had to apologise to Gauff after saying the American had won the French Open final "not because she played incredible [but] because I made all those mistakes".

Sabalenka says she will not make that mistake again.

"I learned that lesson, and I will never behave that way. It's not me," she said on Thursday.

"I was super emotional. I let emotions take control over me, and it's not who I am."

Image source, Getty Images

That winning feeling...

Image source, Getty Images

The similarities between these two are difficult to ignore.

Both are fiery, both are passionate on court. Both have faced adversity this year. Both have been on the brink of glory only to fall short at the final hurdle.

This should be an absolute cracker.

So, here's the story.

Aryna Sabalenka is a three-time Grand Slam winner but this year she has reached two finals and one semi-final at the majors...And come away with nothing. This is her last chance in 2025 to win a major.

Amanda Anisimova reached a maiden Grand Slam final just two months ago at Wimbledon and was demolished by Iga Swiatek. She has bounced back from that demoralising defeat in spectacular fashion to reach the US Open final, beating Wimbledon champion Swiatek along the way.

Two great stories. Only one can win.

Welcome back...

It's crunch time in the women's singles at the US Open.

Defending champion and top seed Aryna Sabalenka will take on Amanda Anisimova for the title in around 30 minutes time.

Let's build up to the big one...

That's all from us for now after a highly-competitive men's doubles final ended in defeat for Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski.

We'll be back at 20:30 BST with build-up for the women's singles final.

It should be another cracker with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka up against Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova.

Horacio Zeballos speaking on court: "I don't know what to think - amazing battle. Playing these matches it's so unfair when there's a winner and loser. The guys were great and they deserved to win this match too. Congrats guys you have an amazing team, keep going.

"I can't believe we won the US Open, all these people watching us. It's always tough to get a good crowd for doubles but you guys were amazing.

"Thanks to our team, our people, we came a long way. Thank you to my partner for these two weeks. Thanks for all the effort."

Marcel Granollers speaking on court:

"Congratulations Neal and Joe, you're a great team you also deserved this title. Congratulations for all these tournaments you are one of the toughest teams.

"Thanks to our team, everyone who helps us every day. These two weeks were one of my toughest two weeks ever so I have to thank all the physios, doctors and everybody who helped me to be ready to play the tournament.

"Thanks to my partner - we've been fighting for a long time together. This year we're having amazing results and I'm very happy to be doing this together."

Here is what the 2025 US Open men's doubles champions had to say...

Joe Salisbury speaking on court: "Firstly I would like to say thank you to all of your support [the crowd]. It was incredible to play out here on Arthur Ashe - it created such a great atmosphere and an experience we will always remember.

"Congrats to Marcel and Horacio. You guys guys got the better of us this year, but there are no two better guys to compete against for the title,

"Thank you to the US Open, to the sponsors and volunteers, the ball boys and ball girls. Everyone who makes it so great. Thank you for that.

"Thank you to our team and to Neil - we have had a really good year together and we are so grateful for the support from Dave and Louis. We will keep going."

Neal Skupski speaking on court: "I am starting to dislike you guys! [Marcel and Horacio] We seem to be bumping into each other all the time. Why not make it Australia? We will go again. Congrats guys.

"We have had an amazing two weeks. It is so amazing to see the crowd that has come out and supported men's doubles. Thank you to everyone.

"Thanks to our team, not just the last two weeks but this year. It has been progress. We didn't start great but we love you guys and we will keep working hard. These finals will go our way one day."

Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski have just been speaking on court - no surprise they are pretty dejected.

They were aiming to become the first all-British pair since 1903 to win the US Open men's doubles title but history must wait.

Full quotes on the way.

The margins are so small in doubles.

There was just 14 minutes between Salisbury and Skupski earning three Championship points to losing the final.

It's worth remembering that Salisbury and Skupski only teamed up at the start of this year and they've reached two Grand Slam doubles finals - both ending in defeat to this pair.

If they continue to work together into 2026 then surely a title won't be too far away.

In contrast, Granollers and Zeballos are off into the stands to celebrate with friends, family, coaches and anyone else who wants a hug.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows

Skupski and Salisbury look understandably glum.

The trophy was within their grasp but they couldn't quite seal the deal.

The Brits share a hug with Skupski whispering something in his colleague's ear.

Then it's stony silence as they sit dejected on their chairs.