Fearless Amanda Anisimova topples Aryna Sabalenka to reach Wimbledon final
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Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her semi-final match against Amanda Anisimova of the US.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – An inspired Amanda Anisimova tore up the script and soared into her maiden Wimbledon final by outclassing world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 with a display of fierce determination and fearless shot-making on July 10.
Her victory extended her win-loss record over her equally big-hitting rival to 6-3 and kept alive American hopes of a third women’s Grand Slam champion in 2025, after Madison Keys won the Australian Open and Coco Gauff the French Open.
“This doesn’t feel real right now. Aryna is such a tough competitor. I was absolutely dying out there. I don’t know how I pulled it out,” said Anisimova, 23, who became the youngest American woman to reach the Wimbledon singles final since Serena Williams in 2004.
“She’s an inspiration to me and so many other people. We’ve had so many tough battles. To come on top today and be in the Wimbledon final is so incredibly special.
“The atmosphere was incredible. I know she’s No. 1. But a lot of people were cheering for me. I just wanna say a huge thank you to everyone.”
At an oven-like Centre Court where the temperature climbed to 30 deg C, Sabalenka twice rushed to the aid of ill fans by supplying bottles of cold water and an ice pack, before she cracked under pressure from her opponent in the 10th game.
Anisimova, playing in her first Major semi-final since her 2019 French Open run as a gifted teenager, made her opponent sweat for every point and wrapped up the opening set when Sabalenka produced a double fault.
With her back against the wall, Sabalenka roared back like a tiger, the animal that has become her totem, and broke for a 4-3 lead en route to levelling up the match at one set apiece after some sloppy errors from the 13th-seeded Anisimova’s racket.
Having matched each other’s decibel levels in a cacophony of grunting, the duo swopped breaks at the start of the decider. But Anisimova pounced again when Sabalenka sent a shot long and went on to book a final with Iga Swiatek.
The Polish world No. 4 beat Swiss Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-0 in the second semi-final to reach the Wimbledon final for the first time.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has warned world No. 1 Jannik Sinner that he is ready to go the distance in their blockbuster Wimbledon semi-final on July 11.
The Serb beat Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in the quarter-finals on July 9 to reach a record 14th men’s semi-final at the All England Club.
The 38-year-old is bidding to win a record 25th Grand Slam title and a record-equalling eighth men’s Wimbledon crown.
But Djokovic will have to overcome two huge hurdles to make history, with top seed Sinner lying in wait in the last four before a potential final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz, who has beaten the Serb in the last two Wimbledon finals.
Djokovic will be facing Sinner for the 10th time, with the Italian holding a 5-4 edge after four successive wins.
Sinner won in straight sets in the French Open semi-finals recently, although Djokovic triumphed in their two meetings on grass at Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023.
“I lost in straight sets to Jannik in the semis of Roland Garros. I think I played a solid match,” Djokovic said.
“I could have played better, but he was just better player when the moments were important.
“So I get another opportunity. For me, this is what counts actually the most.
“Being in the last stages of Grand Slams and playing against the best player in the world right now.
“Him and Alcaraz are the leaders of the tennis today. I couldn’t ask for a bigger challenge. I look forward to it.”
At an age when his contemporaries have largely retired, Djokovic still relishes the chance to prove himself against the next generation, insisting he is in good-enough shape to go five sets against Sinner if needed.
“I just try to focus on my recovery right now, getting my body in shape for very physical battle, so I can fight with him for as long as it’s necessary,” he added.
“Hopefully I can deliver the level and be able to stay with him for potentially five sets, because it’s going to take the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik.”
REUTERS, AFP
