Amanda Anisimova Stuns Sabalenka to Reach First Wimbledon Final, Will Face Swiatek
Amanda Anisimova delivered a performance of sheer grit and brilliance to defeat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller, securing her first-ever appearance in a Grand Slam final. The American, seeded 13th, outlasted Sabalenka with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 victory under scorching conditions on Centre Court at Wimbledon, setting up a highly anticipated final against Iga Swiatek.
The 23-year-old American displayed mental resilience and technical mastery, particularly during key moments of the contest, which lasted two hours and 35 minutes. She fended off 11 of 14 break points and converted her fourth match point to seal an unforgettable win.
As she waved and blew kisses to an appreciative crowd, Anisimova appeared almost overwhelmed by the moment.
“This doesn’t even feel real,” she said afterward. “I was absolutely dying out there. I’m still not sure how I managed to come through it. To be in the Wimbledon final — it’s something truly special.”
For Sabalenka, it was another chapter of disappointment in a year already filled with Grand Slam heartbreak. The Belarusian has previously reached three consecutive Grand Slam finals, losing in Melbourne to Madison Keys and in Paris to Coco Gauff. Now, she exits before the final stage at Wimbledon, the only major where she has yet to reach the final.
Sabalenka was expected by many to power her way through the draw, given her recent form and her unmatched strength from the baseline. However, Anisimova proved that skill, variety, and composure could counteract brute force. From the beginning, it was clear that Sabalenka’s usual game plan — to overwhelm opponents with pace and aggression — would not work as effectively against the nimble, intelligent Anisimova.
Anisimova’s movement, anticipation, and especially her backhand returns, caused consistent problems for the top seed. The first set was closely contested until 5-4, when a nervy service game from Sabalenka, filled with errors and six deuces, ended with a costly double fault — handing the set to Anisimova.
As temperatures soared, the heat began to affect not just the players but spectators as well. Sabalenka showed sportsmanship by passing out water bottles and ice packs to fans who appeared to be struggling in the heat.
The second set saw Sabalenka regain some composure, breaking Anisimova at 3-3 following a series of tense rallies. Despite missing several set point opportunities due to Anisimova’s tenacity, the Belarusian finally served it out, forcing a deciding third set.
Momentum initially appeared to shift in Sabalenka’s favour when she secured an early break in the third. But any hopes of dominance were quickly dashed as she faltered in her next service game, allowing Anisimova to reel off four consecutive games, taking firm control of the set.
Anisimova had shown nerves earlier in the tournament, notably during her quarter-final match where she failed to convert two match points and ended up winning in a tie-break. There were echoes of that tension again as Sabalenka earned three break points while Anisimova served for the match at 5-4.
But this time, Anisimova stood firm. She dug deep and fought off each of the break chances, using strong serving and calm shot selection to close out the match on her fourth match point.
For Anisimova, this result is the culmination of a long journey filled with both promise and personal challenges. She was once hailed as a future Grand Slam champion after her 2019 French Open semi-final run at just 17 years old, a campaign during which she stunned Simona Halep and a then up-and-coming Sabalenka.
However, her career trajectory was interrupted by mental health struggles that prompted a seven-month break from the tour just a few years later. For many, her path to the Wimbledon final seemed unlikely — at least for now.
Still, her return to form has been evident in recent months. A strong showing at the Queen’s Club, where she finished runner-up to Tatjana Maria, hinted at her growing comfort on grass. Yet few would have predicted she’d make such a strong run at the All England Club, especially by knocking out the world number one.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, continues her quest for a maiden Wimbledon final and her first major title away from hard courts. While her talent and power remain unquestioned, this latest setback will be a tough one to process for a player who has consistently fallen short on tennis’s biggest stages in recent months.
With the final now set between Anisimova and world number one Iga Swiatek, fans can look forward to an exciting battle of contrasting styles: the aggressive, baseline power of Anisimova against the all-court versatility and tactical intelligence of Swiatek.
Regardless of the outcome, Anisimova’s journey to the Wimbledon final is already one of the most inspiring stories of the 2024 tennis season.
Swiatek Shines in Decisive Wimbledon Triumph
Swiatek Powers into Wimbledon Final with Dominant Win Over Bencic, Sets Up Showdown with Anisimova
Iga Swiatek has once again underlined her status as one of the most dominant forces in women’s tennis, breezing into her first Wimbledon final with a crushing 6-2, 6-0 victory over Belinda Bencic. The Polish star was in relentless form as she dispatched the unseeded Swiss player in just 74 minutes, securing her place in a sixth Grand Slam final — and sending a strong warning to her next opponent, Amanda Anisimova.
Swiatek’s win now sets up a tantalizing final against Anisimova, who earlier pulled off a stunning upset over world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller. With both players chasing their first Wimbledon title, the final promises to be a fascinating battle between power and precision, consistency and flair.
Swiatek, the current world number two, arrived on Centre Court with a quiet but unmistakable intensity. Wearing her headphones and appearing laser-focused, she later revealed her pre-match motivation comes from listening to rock music — notably AC/DC — to get into the right mental space.
“I’m just really excited and proud of myself,” Swiatek said following the match. “Tennis still finds a way to surprise me. I thought I’d seen everything in this sport, but I’ve never really felt this confident on grass. Now I do — I’m moving well, I’m serving well, and everything’s starting to click.”
Indeed, Swiatek’s performance was almost flawless. She broke Bencic’s serve in the very first game, immediately setting the tone for what would become a lopsided contest. While Bencic did manage to settle down after suffering an awkward leg injury while reaching for a return, the momentum had already swung firmly in Swiatek’s favor.
A short interruption due to a medical emergency in the crowd allowed Bencic a chance to regroup, and although she appeared to regain some rhythm, there was little she could do to stem the tide. Swiatek was simply playing at a level too high for the Swiss to match. A beautifully executed volley at the net gave Swiatek another break, and she soon closed out the first set with minimal fuss.
While the opening set had flashes of resistance from Bencic, the second set was almost entirely one-way traffic. Swiatek began with back-to-back double faults — one of the few blemishes in an otherwise dominant display — but recovered immediately to hold serve and then break Bencic again.
From that point onward, Swiatek’s dominance was total. She rattled off the remaining games with ruthless efficiency, dismantling Bencic’s defenses and giving her no breathing room. The Swiss star, who had shown impressive form earlier in the tournament, simply had no answers as Swiatek sprinted toward victory.
With this win, Swiatek maintains a perfect record in Grand Slam finals, having triumphed in all five of her previous appearances. That statistic will certainly weigh heavily on the mind of Anisimova, who will contest her first-ever major final when they meet.
The two players share a bit of history at Wimbledon. They faced off in an unforgettable fourth-round match two years ago, where Swiatek staged a dramatic comeback to win after saving two match points. That encounter showed how closely matched they can be on grass, and their upcoming final has the potential to deliver another classic.
For Anisimova to lift the title, she will likely need to replicate — or even surpass — the level she produced against Sabalenka. Swiatek, now thriving on a surface that was once considered her weakest, appears as confident and composed as ever.
This run to the Wimbledon final is particularly meaningful for Swiatek. Despite her dominance on clay and hard courts, she had not previously advanced past the quarterfinal stage at the All England Club. Her improved footwork, serve accuracy, and tactical awareness on grass have all contributed to her breakthrough in this year’s tournament.
As the Wimbledon final approaches, fans around the world are gearing up for what could be a memorable encounter between two players at very different points in their careers. Swiatek, with her growing collection of major titles, is chasing yet another milestone. Anisimova, once a teenage prodigy and now a Grand Slam finalist, is looking to fulfill the promise that was once temporarily derailed by personal challenges.
Whatever the outcome, Saturday’s final will be more than just a clash for a trophy — it will be a celebration of resilience, talent, and the evolving narratives of two of the most compelling figures in women’s tennis today.
