By defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Thursday with unwavering will and daring shot-making, Amanda Anisimova upended the script and advanced to her first Wimbledon final. She will now face Iga Swiatek for a chance at Grand Slam success.
After Madison Keys won the Australian Open and Coco Gauff won the French Open, Anisimova’s 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 triumph kept American hopes of a third women’s Grand Slam champion alive and increased her lead over her equally formidable opponent to 6-3.
Five-time major winner Swiatek will be in her way. This year, she demonstrated her newfound passion for grass by defeating Tokyo Olympic champion Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-0 to get to her maiden All England Club final.
The 23-year-old Anisimova will try to become the first American to win Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2016 in Saturday’s final.
Anisimova stated, beaming, “This doesn’t feel real right now, honestly,” soon after her major victory.
“I was dying out there, and Aryna is such a fierce competitor. Yes, I’m not sure how I managed to do that. She is an amazing competitor and an inspiration to me and, I’m sure, a lot of other people.
“We’ve faced a lot of difficult struggles. It is so very great to win today and make it to the Wimbledon final. It was an amazing vibe. Many people were cheering for me, even though I knew she was the best. Many thanks to all of you.
Before breaking under pressure from her opponent in the tenth game, Sabalenka twice hurried to the help of sick spectators by bringing them bottles of cold water and an ice pack on the Centre Court, which seemed like an oven with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius.
Anisimova, a talented teenager who is playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal since her run at the French Open in 2019, had her opponent work hard for every point and won the first set after the Belarusian committed a double fault.
After some careless mistakes from 13th seed Anisimova’s racket, Sabalenka, with her back against the wall, battled like a tiger, the animal that has become her totem, and broke for a 4-3 lead on her way to tying the match at one set apiece.
The pair exchanged pauses at the beginning of the final after matching each other’s decibel levels in a flurry of grunting, but Anisimova jumped again when Sabalenka missed a shot and advanced to the main event.
ABSOLUTE DISBELIEF
Anisimova, who took a mental health vacation in 2023, said she was shocked to reach the Grand Slam final at Wimbledon for the first time.
“It’s been a year turnaround since coming back and to be in this spot … I mean, it’s not easy and so many people dream of competing on this incredible court,” Anisimova said.
“It’s been such a privilege to compete here, and to be in the final is just indescribable.”
Despite working out for almost three hours under difficult conditions, Anisimova was focused on watching the second semi-final that would decide her next opponent.
