In a dramatic Wimbledon semifinal, American Amanda Anisimova delivered one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 on Centre Court. The 23-year-old, seeded 13th, showcased remarkable composure and power throughout the two-hour, 37-minute battle, securing her place in her first-ever Grand Slam final. The match was marked by powerful rallies, tense momentum swings, and even a pair of medical stoppages in the opening set as spectators struggled with the heat, but Anisimova remained undeterred, capitalizing on her chances at the most crucial moments.
For Anisimova, this victory is a milestone in an extraordinary comeback journey. Just over a year ago, she took a break from tennis to address mental health struggles and burnout, stepping away from the sport after a difficult period. Her return has been nothing short of remarkable, and with this win, she not only matches her previous best Grand Slam run—the 2019 French Open semifinal at age 17—but also guarantees a rise into the Top 10 of the WTA rankings for the first time in her career. After sealing the victory with a forehand winner on her fourth match point, Anisimova admitted, “This doesn’t feel real right now. I don’t know how I pulled it out.”
Sabalenka, who was aiming to become the first woman in a decade to reach four consecutive Grand Slam finals, fell short once again at Wimbledon, the only major where she has yet to play a championship match. Despite her powerful game and recent dominance on the tour, Sabalenka could not overcome Anisimova’s relentless aggression and poise under pressure. Anisimova now awaits the winner of the other semifinal between Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic, aiming to become the first American woman to lift the Wimbledon trophy since Serena Williams in 2016.
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(Source: Associated Press | ABC News | NYT)
