Making, and potentially winning, the 2025 US Open final felt like a sure thing for Naomi Osaka, and the championship Labubu was selected, adorned, and readied for all the world to admire once more.
Until it wasn’t.
As the clock ticked closer to 1 a.m. inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, Osaka’s dream of making a fifth career Grand Slam final struck midnight. As Thursday night turned to Friday morning, Osaka could not capitalize on winning the first set, going down to No. 8 seed Amanda Anisimova, 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 6-3, in the second women’s singles semifinal.
Before Thursday, Osaka was a perfect 4-for-4 in Grand Slam semifinal matches in her career and, in turn, was spotless in her quartet of major finals on her way to two titles apiece at the Australian Open and here in Flushing. After winning a taut first set, on the heels of winning six consecutive points during the tiebreak, Osaka appeared to be in the driver’s seat when she was serving in the second set at 4-4 and had three game points at 40-0.
Five consecutive points for Anisimova later and it was game on. And though Osaka broke back in the ensuing game to keep the set alive, she could not reproduce the same magic in the second-set breaker.
The third set saw Anisimova dominate the battle between baseline power hitters, with the American’s 16 winners doubling Osaka’s total in the final frame.
Even with her first-ever defeat at this stage of a major, Osaka felt a sense of pride, knowing she’s been arguably the best Grand Slam closer the women’s game has seen since Serena.
“Not really. I kind of respect it more,” Osaka said when asked if she was disappointed to lose her first Grand Slam semifinal. “I'm happy that I lost in the semis instead of the first round or the third round or whatever I usually get to.”
Osaka spent close to 17 months away from the tour after the birth of her daughter, Shai, before returning in January 2024. Reaching the final four of a Grand Slam, and being just a few points away from another major final so soon is another source of solace. And during this US Open run, she beat three Top 20 players: Daria Kasatkina, 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff, and Karolina Muchova.
“I don't feel sad. It's really weird. Well, it's not weird, because I just feel like I did the best that I could,” Osaka said. “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 very best shot again and see what happens. But I think I can't be mad or upset at myself.”
But there is one thing that Osaka is absolutely apoplectic about: putting her next Labubu on the shelf.
“Oh, don't make me cry,” a light-hearted Osaka said when asked about what Labubu was on deck if she had won tonight.
So long as Osaka’s newfound form lasts longer than the Labubu fad, the wins and the post-match glitter will continue into Melbourne and beyond.
