Amanda Anisimova Stuns World No. 1 Sabalenka to Reach First Wimbledon Final
In a thrilling upset, 13th seed Amanda Anisimova defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to secure her maiden Grand Slam final at Wimbledon.
The 23-year-old American dazzled on a scorching Centre Court, saving 11 of 14 break points in a grueling two-hour, 35-minute battle. “This doesn’t feel real, I was absolutely dying out there,” Anisimova said after the match. “I don’t know how I pulled it out.
To come out on top today and be in the final of Wimbledon is so incredibly special.”
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, faced another major heartbreak after losses to Madison Keys in Australia and Coco Gauff in Paris earlier this year.
Despite her powerful game, the Belarusian struggled against Anisimova’s movement, anticipation, and exceptional returning.
A critical double fault at 5-4 in the first set handed Anisimova the opener after six deuces. In the second set, another Sabalenka double fault at 3-3 shifted momentum, allowing her to force a decider.
However, Anisimova surged in the third set, winning four straight games after an early break to clinch the victory on her fourth match point.
Amanda Anisimova’s journey to the Wimbledon final is remarkable. Tipped as a future star after reaching the 2019 French Open semi-finals at 17, where she stunned Simona Halep and Sabalenka, she took a seven-month mental health break in recent years.
Her recent run to the Queen’s final, where she fell to Tatjana Maria, set the stage for this breakthrough at the All England Club.
Anisimova now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic. Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s quest for a first Wimbledon title and a major outside hard courts continues.
