Amanda Anisimova achieves amazing Grand Slam feat with epic Aryna Sabalenka Wimbledon win
Amanda Anisimova reached her maiden Wimbledon final after overcoming world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic Centre Court battle.
The world No 12 prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 after two hours and 37 minutes to progress to her first-ever Grand Slam championship match.
Having saved four break points to hold for 4-3, Anisimova earned the only break of a fiercely-contested opening set with Sabalenka serving at 4-5.
Sabalenka responded strongly in the second set as she broke Anisimova in the seventh game en route to levelling the contest.
The three-time Grand Slam winner then broke Anisimova in the opening game of the decider, but the American won the next four games.
Anisimova served for the match at 5-3, but was broken back after the Belarusian saved a match point. Sabalenka was unable to tie the set, though, as Anisimova converted her fourth match point in the following game to clinch the biggest win of her career.
“This doesn’t feel real right now. Aryna is such a tough competitor. I was dying out there,” Anisimova said in her on-court interview.
“She’s such an incredible competitor, such an inspiration to me and so many other players. We had so many tough battles and to come on top today to get into the final at Wimbledon is incredibly special.
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“The atmosphere was special today. I know she’s number one but so many were cheering for me so I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone.”
Anisimova, who took an eight-month break from tennis due to burnout and mental health struggles in 2023, admitted she had not expected to achieve this in her comeback.
“To be honest, if you told me I would be in the final of Wimbledon, I would not believe you,” said the 23-year-old.
“Especially not this soon. It’s been a year’s turnaround. So many dream of competing on this court. To be in the final is just indescribable, honestly.”
On her plans for the rest of the day, she added: “I mean, I’ll be around for the next few hours so I’m sure I’ll get a glimpse. It will be an incredible match.
“Hopefully I can finally spend some time with my family. I knew today would be important, but it’s still relatively early so I’ll make some time for you guys.”
Commentating on BBC Radio 5 Live, 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli said: “We all knew the potential of Anisimova when we first saw her reach the semi-final for Roland Garros and the way she is capable of striking the ball.
“After everything she went through, the burnout, for her to be able to reach her first Wimbledon final has given me goosebumps.”
Anisimova is only the second woman in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam singles final after losing in qualifying at the previous year’s event after Bianca Andreescu at the 2019 US Open.
With the points gained from her run to the Wimbledon final, Anisimova has surged five places to a new career-high ranking of seventh in the Live WTA Rankings. It will be the first time she has entered the top 10.
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