World No. 12 Amanda Anisimova achieved a significant upset in the Wimbledon women’s singles semifinals, defeating the top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. This victory propels Anisimova to her first Grand Slam final.
The match was not without its challenges, as it faced two delays in the first set due to some spectators experiencing health issues. Nonetheless, both players showcased their resilience throughout the intense two-hour and 37-minute match.
Anisimova, a 23-year-old from the United States, now awaits the outcome of the other semifinal between No. 4 Iga Swiatek and No. 35 Belinda Bencic. Notably, the last American woman to claim the Wimbledon title was Serena Williams back in 2016, which adds a layer of historical significance to Anisimova’s journey.
Expressing her disbelief after the match, Anisimova said, “This doesn’t feel real right now. I don’t know how I pulled it out.” Her triumph represents a breakout moment in her career; prior to this year’s Wimbledon, her best Grand Slam performance was reaching the semifinals at the French Open in 2019, when she made headlines by defeating defending champion Simona Halep.
Sabalenka’s defeat marks a disappointing moment for her, as it denies her the chance to reach her third consecutive Grand Slam final. This year has seen her eliminated by American players in all three major tournaments, having previously lost to Coco Gauff in the French Open final and Madison Keys in the Australian Open final. Furthermore, with this result, she aimed for a significant record of four consecutive Grand Slam final appearances, a feat not achieved by any woman since Williams a decade ago.
Despite the setback, Sabalenka will maintain her spot at No. 1 in the WTA rankings for the 39th consecutive week. Anisimova’s victory will elevate her to a career-high ranking of at least No. 7 in the next rankings update.
The emergence of Anisimova as a rising star in women’s tennis not only brings hope to American tennis fans but also sets the stage for an exciting final that will further highlight her potential on such a significant platform.