Aryna Sabalenka to face Amanda Anisimova in US Open final on Saturday
Anisimova beats Osaka 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 to reach second consecutive Grand Slam final
Defending champion and world number one Sabalenka fights back to defeat Jessica Pegula 4-6 6-3 6-4 in repeat of last year's final
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows
Jessie Pegula has been working a lot on her transition game recently.
The former doubles world number one has the touch to be successful at the net, so coach Mark Knowles has been encouraging her to come forward at the right times.
Pinging that volley long in the eighth game was greeted with huge shock, but she got away with it.
*Sabalenka 4-6 5-3 Pegula
Wow. What a brilliant pick-up from Pegula to win the first point on Sabalenka's serve.
But once again Sabalenka reverts to power and it does the trick as she earns two set points.
*Sabalenka 4-6 5-3 Pegula
Pegula just can not find a first serve here but errors from Sabalenka keep her in the game and the American does what she needs to do - holds to force Sabalenka to serve it out.
Sabalenka 4-6 5-2 Pegula*
Ouch. Not a great service game from Pegula. She hangs tough to get to deuce but a double fault hands Sabalenka set point.
Sabalenka 4-6 5-2 Pegula*
David Law
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
It feels like the set is probably done, but if Pegula can hold then it does get edgy.
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka 4-6 5-2 Pegula*
Pegula begins her service game with her first ace of the second set but a poor second serve and a double fault later Sabalenka is up 30-15 in this game.
Sabalenka 4-6 5-2 Pegula*
Almost a flawless service game from Sabalenka.
It's slightly tarnished by a double fault but she makes up for it with a thumping ace to hold to 15.
The top seed is one game away from levelling things up in this semi-final.
*Sabalenka 4-6 4-2 Pegula
Abigail Johnson
Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
It feels like a game that could come back to bite Sabalenka. Pegula has stalled momentum.
*Sabalenka 4-6 4-2 Pegula
Break point saved as Pegula comes into the net to meet an inviting volley.
A solid forehand winner and a poor return of serve from Sabalenka later, Pegula has the hold wrapped up.
Image source, Getty ImagesSabalenka 4-6 4-1 Pegula*
Has Pegula swapped racquets again? I can't keep up.
A poor serve hands Sabalenka 0-30 but Pegula rallies to draw level.
Until an off-balance forehand slams into the net and gives Sabalenka break point.
Sabalenka 4-6 4-1 Pegula*
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
Sabalenka is such a stubborn competitor. She is desperate to add more Grand Slams. She knows this is a desperate situation.
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows
Pegula changes her racquet between the fourth and fifth games.
Two aces from Sabalenka and a poor return of serve into the net means she has barely used it yet...
Sabalenka 4-6 4-1 Pegula*
Pegula has ditched her racquet for a different one but it doesn't prevent Sabalenka getting another (very) convincing hold to 15 on the board.
*Sabalenka 4-6 3-1 Pegula
Well that was much-needed for Pegula.
She's on the board in set two with a hold to 30.
Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Flushing Meadows
Yesterday Max Mirnyi, one of Sabalenka's coaches, was telling me how the team is working to control her "ups and downs" during matches.
He also thinks a better balance will come as she continues to mature.
Whatever she did in the break has certainly done the trick.
Sabalenka is playing clearer and cleaner, meaning Pegula is not able to absorb her pace as well in this set.
Sabalenka 4-6 3-0 Pegula*
A hold to 15 means it's three straight games on the board for Sabalenka and she looks like she wants this set over with so she can get to a potential decider.
Image source, Getty Images*Sabalenka 4-6 2-0 Pegula
Annabel Croft
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds
That was a little bit of a let up from Pegula. I think Sabalenka wants to take hold of this second set quickly.
*Sabalenka 4-6 2-0 Pegula
Another crunching forehand winner and Sabalenka has the break.
She has a real opportunity now to stretch a bit of a lead.
Last time Sabalenka broke Pegula's serve the American immediately broke back. Can she do it again?
Sabalenka 4-6 1-0 Pegula*
Sabalenka looks to be slightly more locked in since the break.
We're still seeing plenty of emotion but her shot-making is that bit more intentional.
A lovely cross-court winner brings up a break point.
Sabalenka 4-6 1-0 Pegula*
A much-needed hold for Sabalenka. Pegula won the last four games to take set one so the world number one needed to stop the rot.
A powerful forehand seals a not entirely comfortable hold to 30.
