A little over two years ago, Amanda Anisimova decided to take a break from tennis due to exhaustion. Last year, as she made her comeback, the American had to go through Wimbledon qualifiers because her ranking was too low at 189th to secure a spot in the main draw automatically.
Fast forward to the present, Anisimova has made it to her first Grand Slam final by defeating the top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling match at Centre Court. In the upcoming final match, Anisimova will be up against Iga Swiatek, a five-time major champion who secured her spot in the final by overpowering Belinda Bencic.
Swiatek, known for her dominance, showcased exceptional performance by swiftly winning her semifinal match against Bencic in just 71 minutes. Despite her previous success on clay and hard courts, this is Swiatek’s first significant achievement on grass courts.
Anisimova, seeded 13th, who hails from New Jersey and grew up in Florida, expressed her disbelief at reaching the Wimbledon final after a challenging journey back to the top. The 23-year-old player, known for her strong groundstrokes, especially on the backhand, is poised to break into the top 10 of the WTA rankings for the first time following her remarkable performance at Wimbledon.
Meanwhile, for Sabalenka, this defeat halted her quest to become the first woman in a decade to reach four consecutive Grand Slam finals. Despite her previous successes, including winning the U.S. Open, Sabalenka faced tough competition from Anisimova, whom she now holds a 6-3 record against.
The intense match between Anisimova and Sabalenka was characterized by powerful serves and aggressive play, with both players showcasing their skills in a high-stakes showdown. Anisimova’s resilience shone through as she saved 11 out of 14 break points, ultimately securing her victory with a forehand winner on her fourth match point.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes are on the upcoming final match between Anisimova and Swiatek, promising an exciting clash between two formidable players on the tennis court.