No. 3: Alexandra Eala d. Clara Tauson (US Open First Round) 6-3 2-6 7-6 (11)
After Eala’s heartbreaking Eastbourne defeat, she got her own huge win in New York. In front of a pro-Eala crowd and packed Grandstand court, she came from 5-1 down in the third set to claim her fourth Top 20 win. The previous two matches on the list may have been played at a slightly higher quality, but this match contained both quality and drama. Tauson fought against the umpire and the crowd deep into the match. Meanwhile, surely some scars of that Eastbourne match were in Eala’s head as she inched towards the finish line. Eala saved five match points to beat the World No. 14.
No. 2: Amanda Anisimova d. Naomi Osaka (US Open Semifinal) 6-7 (4) 7-6 (4) 6-3
On paper, the marquee match of the US Open women’s semifinals was Aryna Sabalenka battling Jessica Pegula in a US Open final rematch. Yet, this encounter surpassed the quality of the previous match, because both players battled through ebbs-and-flows with so much at stake. Osaka had an opportunity to reclaim a Grand Slam title, while Anisimova looked to delight the home fans and make the final. Osaka dictated the rallies at the beginning of the match, but Anisimova slowly became comfortable and eventually cracked 50 winners, many coming off her strong backhand. The American wrapped up the nearly three-hour battle after midnight, 6-3 in the third.
