US Anisimova Stuns No. 1 Sabalenka, Advances To Wimbledon Final/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Amanda Anisimova upset No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to reach her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon. She will face either Iga Swiatek or Belinda Bencic for the title. Anisimova, returning after a mental health break, is set to enter the WTA Top 10.
Quick Look: Anisimova’s Wimbledon Triumph
- Anisimova beats Sabalenka in three-set thriller
- Reaches first career Grand Slam final
- Faces Swiatek or Bencic for Wimbledon title
Anisimova Stuns Sabalenka to Reach Maiden Wimbledon Final
Deep Look
LONDON (AP) — Amanda Anisimova pulled off a stunning upset at Wimbledon on Thursday, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to secure her place in her first-ever Grand Slam final — barely a year after stepping away from tennis due to burnout.
Seeded 13th, the 23-year-old American showcased her trademark powerful groundstrokes and mental toughness to edge Sabalenka in a tense 2-hour, 36-minute battle. The victory marks Anisimova’s second career major semifinal appearance, following her run to the 2019 French Open semifinals at just 17 years old.
“This doesn’t feel real right now,” Anisimova said moments after clinching the win with a forehand winner on her fourth match point. “I don’t know how I pulled it out.”
Anisimova, born in New Jersey and raised in Florida, will play either Iga Swiatek or Belinda Bencic in Saturday’s final. The winner will become the eighth consecutive first-time women’s Wimbledon champion, adding more intrigue to the tournament’s recent tradition of surprise victors.
Sabalenka, who took over the No. 1 ranking from Swiatek last October, was denied her chance to become the first woman since Serena Williams a decade ago to reach four consecutive Grand Slam finals.
For Anisimova, the victory is a milestone moment in a career that has included both promise and personal challenges. In May 2023, she took a break from the sport, citing struggles with mental health. Just a year later, she’s now guaranteed to crack the WTA’s Top 10 rankings for the first time, regardless of Saturday’s result — a remarkable turnaround from last summer, when she fell in the qualifying rounds and missed the Wimbledon main draw entirely.
Anisimova’s crisp backhands and confident shot-making have powered her through the tournament, and she’ll now aim for her first major trophy in one of the sport’s biggest finals.
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