Amanda Anisimova Upends World No. 1 Sabalenka to Reach Wimbledon Final

London, England – American tennis player Amanda Anisimova stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory in the Wimbledon semifinals on Thursday, marking her first appearance in a Grand Slam final.

Anisimova’s impressive performance came after a challenging year, during which she took a mental health break. The 23-year-old Florida native expressed her disbelief after the match. “This doesn’t feel real right now,” Anisimova said during an on-court interview. “Aryna is such a tough competitor, and I was absolutely dying out there.”

The match took place under warm conditions, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Amidst the heat, Sabalenka supported a few ill fans by providing them with water and ice packs. However, she was unable to fend off Anisimova’s relentless style of play.

After taking the first set, Anisimova battled through a second set where Sabalenka clawed back, displaying her tenacity by breaking Anisimova’s serve twice. Each player exchanged breaks in the final set, but Anisimova seized control after Sabalenka hit a shot long and secured her spot in the final.

“To come out on top today and be in the final of Wimbledon is so incredibly special,” Anisimova added. She acknowledged the support from the crowd and mentioned how the atmosphere motivated her throughout the match.

Anisimova will face former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in Saturday’s final. Swiatek advanced after defeating Belinda Bencic in straight sets. Anisimova’s success at Wimbledon positions her to climb back into the world’s top 10 rankings, a significant achievement considering she started the year outside the Top 400.

Sabalenka, the three-time major champion, was disappointed but remains hopeful for her next chances in future tournaments. “I have learned a lot from this match,” she said after the semifinal. “I will work harder for the next one.”